Quiet one
Years ago
Late info- Boomers on top
Sunday, 31 July 2005 @ 7:25 AM
sportal.com.au
The Australian men's basketball team has secured an upset 109-96 win over tournament favourite Lithuania in the Boris Stankovic Cup on Saturday in China.
The Boomers put the farce of Friday night's clash with Angola behind them, opening well against the fourth-ranked team in the world and maintaining an advantage until the finish.
While it was Australia's defence that proved the key to the victory, the Boomers were also well served in attack by Glen Saville, who finished with 31 points, and CJ Bruton (25 points).
The Boomers led 32-27 after the first period and, despite a sustained effort from Lithuania to take control in the second, it was Australia up 58-55 at half-time.
With point guard Luke Martin out for the rest of the tournament due to a broken foot, the rest of the team lifted as one, stretching the margin to nine points at the start of the last period.
"We regrouped after a last night's disappointing loss and played the best game of our Asian tour so far," Boomers coach Brian Goorjian said on the Basketball Australia website.
"This win has certainly changed the face of the tournament. It was definitely and all-round great game, we got a great contribution from everyone that hit the floor and had game winning performances from Athens Olympians Glen Saville and CJ Bruton."
"They certainly took the game over in the fourth quarter to take the Boomers to victory."
With two wins and two losses, the Boomers are back in contention to win the tournament and face a final preliminary match up against China on Sunday.
