Boomers suffer setback against Lithuania

The Australian Boomers have lost to Lithuania 78-57 in the fourth game of the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan.

Brad Newley top scored for Australia with 15 points. He was supported by Andrew Bogut who scored 12 points and Jason Smith who scored eight points.

Arvydas Macijauskas scored 20 points to lead Lithuania.

The defeat takes Australia’s record to one win and three losses at the world championship, but the Boomers are not yet mathematically out of the tournament.

Long range shooting kept Australia close during the early stages of the game but Lithuania stayed focused to lead by seven at the half, 35-28.

Lithuania lifted their intensity in the second half and a three-pointer on the three-quarter-time buzzer saw them up by 18 points at the final break.

Australia responded to begin the fourth quarter full of fight, but the deficit was too large to overcome.

Poor field goal shooting (28%) and 28 turnovers doomed the Australians.

No injuries were reported.

Match Details:

LITHUANIA 78 – Macijauskas 20, Javtokas 16, Songaila 14

AUSTRALIA 57 – Newley 15, Bogut 12, Smith 8

The Boomers take on Qatar in their next match on Thursday.