BOOMERS CRUSH CANADA TO WIN 2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES GOLD
Never troubled against a team they had already defeated through the pool stage, the Boomers had every player hit the scoreboard for the fourth time at the Commonwealth Games while their defence was as exemplary as it had been throughout the fortnight, holding Canada to 27% shooting.
Offensively, Australia knocked down 45% of their attempts including 42% from the three-point line with eight Boomers draining triples.
“Being at home and winning gold feels pretty good,” said Jason Cadee.
“We were locked in, no matter who we played. It is tough to keep up with us which is a credit to our depth. Our family and friends are here so the boys are ecstatic to be able to play on the Gold Coast and in Cairns.”
While the Boomers started the contest with a 7-2 run, three early turnovers was an uncharacteristically sloppy start as Canada’s pressure and activity was a stark improvement from their pool stage meeting.
Chris Goulding was on fire though, scoring eight points in the opening term and then Jesse Wagstaff (six points, five boards) connected on a three-point play from an offensive rebound to help open up a double-digit advantage by quarter-time.
It took almost three minutes for either team to score in the second term with the Boomers defence ensuring Canada had no chance of cutting into the deficit even when the home team’s shots were not falling.
Cadee (seven points, five rebounds) broke the drought with a drive inside to force an and-one play and while he missed the free throw, Cam Gliddon (eight points, seven boards, five assists) was able to secure the ball and knock down a three-pointer to open the floodgates.
It sparked a 14-0 run while Canada took almost six minutes to hit a field goal and then Nick Kay (ten points, four assists, three steals) and Nathan Sobey (ten points, eight rebounds, three assists), kept their foot down to make it a 26-point game at the main break.
Canada was able to stick with the Aussies for most of the third period despite Goulding (11 points) starting the second half in the same way he began the game, with a three-ball.
Brad Newley, the only Boomer to win two Commonwealth Games gold medals, then hit a late three to cap off an 18-10 quarter and he finished with nine points, six rebounds and two steals.
Lucas Walker (three points) and Mitch Norton (five points) came on court in the final term and it did not take long to make sure every Aussie was on the scoreboard yet again as the celebrations began.
Find the box score here.
Continuing their most successful run in the history of the team, the Boomers have now won 17 consecutive international games.
The streak began last year at the FIBA Asia Cup where they won the gold medal in their first venture into the tournament and they have also won four straight games through the FIBA World Cup qualifiers before claiming five in a row at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Australia now prepare for the last two games in the first round of World Cup qualifiers in late June and early July when they visit Japan and the Philippines.
They have already booked a spot in the second round though which begins in September and if they finish in the top three of their group across those last six games, the Boomers will qualify for the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
Basketball Australia
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