BOOMERS FALL TO IRAN IN FINAL FIBA WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

With Iran needing a win to secure their spot in the World Cup and the Boomers already sewing up first place in the group, the game played out like Iran had a lot more to play for.

The home side brought the intensity from the opening tip and Australia soon found themselves trailing by double-digits.

Eight turnovers in the first quarter wreaked havoc with their offence but they struggled just as much at the other end of the floor, unable to contain Iran in the pick and roll.

Mangok Mathiang (six points) did his best to spark the side with a big rejection on Navide Niktash and Jarrad Weeks went coast to coast after a steal on the inbounds.

Iran still pushed their advantage out to 13 at the main break though as Australia equalled their ten field goals for the half with ten turnovers.

Three-pointers from Mitch Creek and Tim Coenraad (six points) early in the third term as well as some solid play from Emmett Naar (three points, seven rebounds, six assists) again gave the Aussies some hope.

However, Iran had an instant response each time, either pushing the ball in transition or getting second chance points off crucial offensive rebounds.

Creek (20 points, nine rebounds, four assists) scored six points for the quarter and Weeks (eight points, five assists, two steals) brought the required intensity to match Iran but those efforts only managed to eat into the deficit by two points.

Australia could not get within single-figures until, with three minutes remaining, Tom Wilson (16 points) breathed life into the Boomers with three consecutive three-pointers.

He went on a personal 9-2 run but the damage had already been done as Iran consolidated their victory through Mohammad Jamshidi (25 points) and Behnam Yakhchali (21 points).

Find the box score here.

After 15 months of qualifying, the Boomers have finished on top of Group F for the FIBA World Cup draw which will take place at 9.30pm AEDT on Saturday, March 16.

The next time the Boomers hit the court will be at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne when they host USA Basketball for two warm-up games ahead of the FIBA World Cup with both teams sporting their final rosters for the major tournament.

Tickets are selling fast for the games but can be purchased here.

The Australian Boomers FIBA World Cup Qualifiers Results:

Sixth Window:
February 22: Australia def. Kazakhstan (81-60)
February 25: Australia def. by Iran (74-85)

Fifth Window:
November 30, 2018: Australia def. Iran (76-47)
December 3, 2018: Australia def. Qatar (110-59)

Fourth Window:
September 14, 2018: Australia def. Qatar (95-43)
September 17, 2018: Australia def. Kazakhstan (94-41)

Third Window: 

June 29, 2018: Australia def. by Japan (78-79)
July 2, 2018: Australia def. Philippines (89-53)

Second Window:

February 22, 2018: Australia def. Philippines (84-68)
February 25, 2018: Australia def. Chinese Taipei (88-68)

First Window:
November 24, 2017: Australia def. Chinese Taipei (104-66)
November 27, 2017: Australia def. Japan (82-58)

The post BOOMERS FALL TO IRAN IN FINAL FIBA WORLD CUP QUALIFIER appeared first on Basketball Australia.

The Australian Boomers have concluded their FIBA World Cup qualifying campaign on a sour note, falling to Iran 74-85.

The post BOOMERS FALL TO IRAN IN FINAL FIBA WORLD CUP QUALIFIER appeared first on Basketball Australia.

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