Boomers take air out of Jordan
TweetAS expected, Australia's national men's team last night thumped Jordan to open its defence of the FIBA Asia Cup in Jakarta. The 78-60 win was built on a sizzling 52-26 first half during which Thon Maker was omnipresent and gave stand-in Boomers coach Mike Kelly his first international victory.
Jordan was in the contest when it trailed 7-11 but a 3-point Boomers barrage blew it out of the water, Australia ahead 27-12 at the first break.
The Boomers were sharp at the defensive end but absolutely wicked in offence, William McDowell-White on his way to a game-high seven assists, along with seven points, four boards and a couple of steals in a highly impressive all-around performance.
Maker had 14 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, seven rebounds and an assist by halftime, the Boomers with a 25-14 second quarter making it a 52-26 interval advantage.
Rhys Vague had come off the Boomers bench and swished a pair of threes, Clint Steindl was wreaking havoc and tournament captain Mitch McCarron was on his way to a typical 7 point, 3 rebound, 4 assist, 3 steal, 1 block mastery of all aspects of the game.
The "baby Boomers" such as Tyrese Proctor and David Okwera also had enough time to make an impression before the rot set in during the third quarter.
Australia's offence - the height of efficiency in the first half - simply went wayward, Jordan's defence definitely more committed but the Boomers understandably not quite with the same level of energy as that which built their match-winning lead.
Consequently, the Aussies could muster only a measly 8-point third period as Jordan rallied to give itself a (long) shot.
An 18-15 final period by the Boomers put paid to any unlikely Jordanese upset dreams but Australia's 26-point second half after a 52-point first was a stark contrast.
Not one to lose any sleep over though, ahead of tomorrow's match with Saudi Arabia, a 54-80 first-round loser to Indonesia.
AUSTRALIA BOOMERS 78 (Maker 23, Froling 16, Vague, Steindl 8; Maker, Froling 8 rebs; McDowell-White 7 assts) d JORDAN 60 (Tucker 20, Al Dwairi 10, Ibrahim 8; Al Dwairi 13 rebs; Al Dwairi, Ibraham 6 assts).