EMERGING BOOMERS CLINCH QUARTER-FINAL SPOT AT 2019 WORLD UNI GAMES

After a slow start to the tournament that saw them drop their opening game against Israel, the Emerging Boomers have dealt with Mexico by 43 points and the Czechs by 29 to finish Pool A in second spot.

Dejan Vasiljevic (21 points) lit the fuse in the opening term, scoring ten points as Australia had six different players score to push out to a nine-point edge.

Captain Jack White (eight points, eight rebounds) was also instrumental in the start and the Emerging Boomers pressed on with a 10-2 run to start the second period which opened up a sizeable gap on the scoreboard.

Their defence was just as exemplary, regularly forcing the Czech Republic into contested looks and they took full command of the contest with a 21-10 second quarter to lead by 19 at half-time.

Australia’s interior work meant they were able to keep their offence ticking along in the second half and with so many shots close to the rim, the Czech Republic had no answers.

A rare upside for the Czechs saw them finish with a 17-6 advantage in offensive rebounds which helped them win the final term by a point but the damage had already been done as the Emerging Boomers had 11 players score and ten record an assist.

In addition to Vasiljevic, George Blagojevic hit double-digits with ten points while Jonah Antonio knocked down three three’s for nine points and Kyle Zunic (eight points, six rebounds, four assists) and Will Magnay (seven points, seven boards) also impressed.

Find the stats here.

The Emerging Boomers have now set up a Quarter-Final clash with Argentina, a team that also went 2-1 through the pool stage, at 1.30am early Tuesday morning Australian time.

Find stats and results from the entire tournament here.

The Emerging Opals and Emerging Boomers Schedule for the 2019 World Uni Games (all times AEST):

July 3: Emerging Opals def. Finland 68-51
July 5: Emerging Opals def. Canada 85-51
July 5: Emerging Boomers def. by Israel 64-92
July 5: Emerging Opals def. China 90-84
July 5: Emerging Boomers def. Mexico 105-62
July 7: Emerging Boomers def. Czech Republic 88-59
July 8: Emerging Opals’ Quarter-Final vs. Chinese Taipei at 4am
July 9: Emerging Boomers’ Quarter-Final vs. Argentina at 1.30am
July 9: Emerging Opals’ Semi-Final at 1.30am or 4am
July 10: Emerging Boomers’ Semi-Final at 1.30am or 4am
July 11: Emerging Opals’ medal game at 1.30am and 4am
July 12: Emerging Boomers’ medal game at 1.30am and 4am

The Emerging Boomers have claimed a second big win at the 2019 World University Games, defeating the Czech Republic 88-59 to book their place in the Quarter-Finals.

Basketball Australia

Powered by WPeMatico