Australia retains FIBA Asia Cup title versus Lebanon
Sports/Games

Australia retains FIBA Asia Cup title versus Lebanon

Jul 25, 2022, 11:35 AM
Nicole Pulido

Nicole Pulido

Writer

Australians extend their game winning streak to 12 as they capture the gold medal in the FIBA Asia Cup 2022 against Lebanon

Boomers had enough in their tank to hold on to another championship against the gutsy Lebanese team and pulled off a thrilling 75-73 victory for the gold medal in the 2022 Fiba Asia Cup on Sunday at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta.

Australia got the timely boost from NBA veteran Thon Maker early in the game as he produced 14 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals in the gold medal match.

Another Boomer in Mitch McCarron helped their cause with 12 points, five dimes, four boards, and four steals to clinch the title.

“It comes down to being able to make shots, make free throws and they did that better than us in the fourth and we had built up enough interest in the first three quarters to cash that out in the fourth and we hung tough,” said acting Boomers coach Mike Kelly.
“So, super proud of the group.”

Lebanon made sure to put up a fight behind Wael Arakji's fourth-quarter scoring eruption and a total of 28 points but was two points short to force an overtime.

Arajki shot 5-of-6 from the three-point territory to go with his seven rebounds and five assists to be named as the Tournament MVP.

Arakji was joined by Maker, McCarron, New Zealand's Tohi Smith-Milner, and China's Zhou Qi in the All-Star Five.

Ali Haidar also had 23 points and nine boards, together with a desperation heave from the backcourt in the dying seconds of their maiden finish in the Asian Cup.

In their win, Australia pushes their win streak to 12 games while for Lebanon, despite falling short of the title, this has been their best finish in the FIBA Asia Cup since 2007 and pulling off the closest game by any team to beating Australia in the Asia Cup.

Meanwhile, New Zealand secured third place with an 83-75 win over Jordan behind the heroic performances of Tohi Smith-Milner, Takiula Fahrensohn and Sam Timmins.

Tags: #FIBA, #basketball, #Australia


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