Boomers win right to play-off for Gold

The Australian men’s basketball team is just one win away from realizing their dream of Commonwealth Games gold, following a comfortable 101-75 victory over a plucky England at the Multi-Purpose Venue this afternoon.

Fresh off three pool games where their average winning margin was 69 points, the Boomers were tested in the first half by the physical English side and only held a four-point buffer (50-46) at the main break.

However, a 27-12 third period blew the game open and the Aussies cruised to victory in the final quarter to set up a clash for the gold medal against either New Zealand or Nigeria, with that semi-final to be played tonight.

Sydney Kings trio Jason Smith (18 points including 4/5 3pt), Luke Kendall (16 points) and CJ Bruton (11 points, six assists) were instrumental in the third quarter explosion that broke the close game open, sparking a 19-7 run that put the game beyond doubt.

“We know how each other plays and when someone gets hot, we get the ball to them. That’s the best thing about the Boomers, there’s no unselfishness, the ball moves really well and we get good shots,” Luke Kendall said to SportsAustralia after the match.

And they got a lot of them in the second half as Australia found space on the perimeter and clamped down on England’s bruising inside play that had the Boomers troubled through two quarters.

Star point guard Bruton said: “They’re a talented team and we knew it wasn’t going to happen in the first 10 minutes of the ballgame. They like to slow it down and play a half-court game. We knew that it would take it out of them and once we’d get ahead, we’d be fine.”

Sam Mackinnon kept the Boomers’ noses in front through an exciting first half, utilizing his speed advantage over the taller opposition forwards to score 13 points (on 71% FG) and grab 11 rebounds. But English guard Julius Joseph was continuing his excellent Games form, netting 14 points by the long interval, while John Amaechi and Andrew Sullivan were presenting Australia with difficulties down in the low post.

“The focus at half-time was just to lock it down defensively, don’t give anything easy. Their big guy, Amaechi, he’s pretty effective inside, so it was important to eliminate his good looks,” emerging star Brad Newley said.

The Boomers did that and more in an impressive second half performance and now look set to capture the coveted gold in the final scheduled for Friday night. It’s a long awaited moment for the men’s team and Bruton is thrilled at the prospect of finally draping a medal around his neck.

“It’s been a dream of mine ever since I’ve worn the green and gold, to come away with the gold medal. It’s been unfortunate that we haven’t had much of a chance to play in the Commonwealth Games and it’s a great way for Australian basketball to get established,” Bruton said.

“I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

The Boomers will take on either New Zealand or Nigeria in the gold medal game on Friday night.

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