Boomers shock France for upset win

Australian Boomers star Andrew Bogut scored 20 points to lead his country to a miraculous victory against heavily favoured France 77-71 in the second match of the Stankovic Cup in China on Sunday night.

But it was Townsville Crocodiles guard Brad Newley that impressed most, coming off the bench to score 17 points on three-of-four three-pointers, including one late in the third period that put Australia ahead for the first time, 52-51.

San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker led France with 22 points and created havoc in the opening half with his trademark penetration and dish. Florent Pietrus added 10 points while his NBA star brother Mickael scored eight points.

“This is a great step for us,” Boomers coach Brian Goorjian said.

“We haven’t played much together and previously I don’t think we had the belief that we could win against the top teams in the world, but beating France and showing the intensity that we did amongst the group, it shows we can get anything done.”

“The most exciting thing for us is that we’re not done yet. Most of the teams that have come here are just fine tuning, but we’re coming on in leaps and bounds with every game we play.”

Former Olympic runner up France defeated European Champions Greece on Saturday and was an overwhelming favourite to down the inexperienced Australians at the Olympic Sports Centre in Nanjing, China.

It appeared likely when the French opened up a six-point lead midway through the first term and extended it to an eight-point lead at half time, 39-31, but Goorjian implemented a full court press in the third period that changed the game.

Led by the ferocious defense of Mark Worthington and Dan Kickert, together with the hot hands of Newley and Luke Kendall, the underdog Australians won the period 22-13.

Australia would not back down in the fourth quarter, with Andrew Bogut and Sam Mackinnon scoring repeatedly on cleverly designed isolation plays.

They frustrated the French team and with just over one minute remaining, France’s Mickael Gelebale pushed Sam Mackinnon, who responded with a bigger push of his own.

Both players were ejected for fighting, despite no punches being thrown. Mackinnon led all players with 10 rebounds.

After what was the greatest victory this young group has experienced, the team will rest for one day before taking on the might of China on Tuesday.