The Australian Boomers have moved to second place in Group D of the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain after an 82-75 victory over international heavyweight Lithuania.
The Boomers knocked off the world’s fourth-ranked side on Wednesday morning for a second consecutive group stage win.
Joe Ingles, enjoying another stellar campaign in the green and gold and a near certainty to move the NBA ahead of the 2014-2015 season, led the way with an 18-point, four-assist, three-steal night on 7-11 shooting on the back of the Australia’s 30-point opening quarter.
A strong first half from NBA champion Aron Baynes helped Australia turn a 10-point quarter time lead into a 19-point halftime advantage before Andrej Lemanis’ team withstood a spirited second half fight back from a Lithuania squad teeming with world-class talent.
“Obviously this is a big win for us in what we are trying to achieve,” Lemanis said post game.
“Lithuania is not a team you get to beat very often.
“It’s a key victory for us after we lost to Slovenia (in Sunday’s tournament opener).”
As usual, a bunch of Boomers chipped in to share the scoring load in the absence of injured stars Andrew Bogut and Patty Mills. Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Matthew Dellavedova added 13 points, local Gran Canaria star of the Spanish ACB league Brad Newley contributed 10 while Baynes dropped 14 points and six rebounds in 22 foul-plagued minutes.
The Boomers are now in a strong position with two remaining group stage games against Mexico and Angola ahead of the final 16 stage kicking off on Saturday in Barcelona and Madrid.
“What this means is our destiny is still well and truly in our own hands,” the coach said.
“We need to come out and play well against Mexico tomorrow so that we take advantage of this win.”
Photo: Gerard Julien/Getty Images
