BOOMERS EXPLODE IN SECOND-HALF TO SECURE VICTORY AGAINST CANADA
The Boomers used a 51-point second-half to defeat Canada in their second game of FIBA World Cup preparations.
The Boomers were without stars Patty Mills and Andrew Bogut for resting purposes. Stepping into the starting line-up was Chris Goulding and Aron Baynes, with Baynes returning after missing Friday night’s game.
The Boomers started off game two in much better fashion compared to Friday, getting out to an early 15-9 lead with Jock Landale continuing his hot form, whilst Matthew Dellavedova provided some great on-ball defence, forcing the Canadians into turnovers early.
However, a pair of three-pointers from Canada to close out the first period saw the visitors take a 18-17 lead into quarter-time. Despite the Boomers fast start, three-point shooting was still a concern for the Boomers who went 1-7 from beyond the arc during the first.
Mitch Creek disrupted the Canadians defensively when he came on the floor, forcing a steal and lay-up. However, the Boomers inability to hit the three continued to limit the Boomers’ offensive output.
With three minutes remaining in the first half, Cam Gliddon finally ended the three-point drought, cutting the margin back to five, ending a 13-minute stretch of bad shooting.
When Aron Baynes came up with an offensive put-back off of a missed free-throw, the Boomers had closed within two points despite being 9-35 from the field.
Moments later, Aron Baynes was called for a questionable illegal screen call, seeing him register his third foul before the end of the first half.
Despite the setback, the Boomers re-took the lead on the next possession as Mitch Creek converted on a wide-open corner three.
Entering the half-time break the Boomers had shot 10-37 from the field, despite this, they found themselves trailing by just three points.
