BANGKOK (FIBA U19 World Championship for Women) - France did rather well to seize the initiative against Australia's U19 Gems in a Group A engagement on Friday.

But Elizabeth Cambage fired in 16 of her game-high 38 points and the Gems were back on track.

Dean Kinsman's girls added 22 points to their first half's 24 in the third quarter and Australia coasted through to a 66-57 win.

It was Australia's second win on the trot and France's first defeat.

France, who defeated Korea on the opening day continued to play with similar cohesion.

Margoux Okou led an all-round French attack as the Les Bleus broke away from Australia.

Cambage closed both the quarters scoring from the paint, but those only helped Australia reduce the margin at the end of the first two quarters.

Cambage leveled the scores midway through the third quarter at 32 and converted the two free throws when Medelome Medenous fouled her to give Australia their first lead after the opening minutes. And there was no further trouble for Australia.

Okou led the French scoring with 14 points.

FIBA