NEW BOOMERS MAKE LIGHT WORK OF KAZAKHSTAN IN FIBA WC QUALIFIER

Ten players made their national team debuts and nine players scored their first international points in the victory that saw the Boomers officially lock up top spot in Group F with one game still to come against Iran early Monday morning.

Kazakhstan began the contest with two three-pointers as their drive and kick game hurt the Boomers early.

Tom Wilson (eight points, six rebounds) and Jock Landale got their first points to settle things down though before Isaac Humphries provided a serious offensive punch off the bench, scoring eight points in just four minutes.

Tim Coenraad then connected from beyond the arc to give Australia a seven-point edge at quarter-time.

Humphries (team-high 17 points and seven rebounds) moved into double-figures quickly in the second period before a Mitch Creek three gave Australia a double-digit lead.

Anthony Clemmons, an Iowa Hawkeyes product, remained aggressive for Kazakhstan and he helped cut the deficit to six as he showcased an impressive game both inside and outside.

The fightback was short-lived though and the Boomers wrestled back momentum through a tough Wilson drive followed by another timely three-pointer from Coenraad (nine points) near the main break.

Australia started the third term with a 7-0 run and it was their defence that shut the door on Kazakhstan, holding them to eight points for the period and dropping their shooting percentage below 30%.

The floodgates well and truly opened in the final period with Lucas Walker (eight points) taking full advantage while Landale (ten points, five rebounds) and Creek (12 points, five assists, two steals) both got out in transition for throwdowns.

Clemmons (a game-high 31 points) kept the score-line from being a total blowout but the considerable margin enabled the likes of Harry Froling and Daniel Grida substantial court time as they scored their first Boomers buckets while Emmett Naar went on to tally six assists.

Find the box score here.

The only downside in Australia’s victory was their 19 turnovers which gave up 24 points but they atoned for that with an 18-5 advantage in fast break points and a 44-4 edge in points off the bench.

The Boomers now visit Iran at 1.30am AEDT on Monday in their final game of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, keen to finish off the process on a seven-game winning streak.

The Australian Boomers FIBA World Cup Qualifiers Schedule/Results:

Sixth Window:
February 22: Australia def. Kazakhstan (81-60)
February 25: Australia vs. Iran at 1.30am AEDT. Live on FOX Sports Australia channel 506.

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 NEW BOOMERS MAKE LIGHT WORK OF KAZAKHSTAN IN FIBA WC QUALIFIER appeared first on Basketball Australia.

It was a new-look team for the Australian Boomers but the result was the same as they made light work of Kazakhstan, succeeding 81-60, to begin the final window of FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

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The post NEW BOOMERS MAKE LIGHT WORK OF KAZAKHSTAN IN FIBA WC QUALIFIER appeared first on Basketball Australia.

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