Boomers crush Qatar to stay alive

The Australian Boomers have broken a three-game losing streak to beat basketball minnows Qatar 93-46 in the final pool game of the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan.

Mark Worthington top scored for Australia with 17 points. He was supported by Jason Smith who scored 16 points and Andrew Bogut and Sam Mackinnon, who each scored 10 points.

Saad Abdulraham Ali scored 16 points to lead Qatar.

The victory takes Australia’s world championship tournament record to two wins and three losses. Lithuania defeated Brazil this evening, which has kept the Boomers alive for atleast one more match. The Boomers face the USA in the knockout round.

Solid defence from both teams kept the game close in the opening period before Jason Smith shot Australia into the half time break leading by nine, 41-30.

Australia then posted a 25-4 third period to break the Africans’ hearts.

Coach Brian Goorjian unleashed his bench players in the fourth quarter. They won the period by 15 points as the Boomers ran out victors 93-46.

No injuries were reported.

Match Details:

AUSTRALIA 93 – Worthington 17, Smith 16, Bogut 10, Mackinnon 10

QATAR 46 – S Ali 16, A Ali 12, Abdi 5

The Boomers play the USA in their next match.