THE AUSTRALIAN Emus have made it one from two at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup, this time in dramatic fashion as they defeated Cameroon in Switzerland last night, getting the job done by five points in double overtime.

The Emus looked down and out late in the fourth quarter, trailing by six points with less than a minute to play, before a brain fade from Cameroon let the Aussies back into the game, and they were able to force overtime and eventually take home the chocolates.

It was Australia’s first win of the tournament, following a loss to the United States over the weekend, and now the Emus are back on track ahead of a huge clash against France on Wednesday morning.

Australian Emus (101) def. Cameroon (96)

It was a competitive start from Cameroon, matching the Emus offensive output and ensuring it was neck and neck action throughout the opening frame. A late three-pointer to Gregory Kemet saw Cameroon take a one-point lead into the first change, indicating that the Aussie were going to have a challenge on their hands.

Australia took over in the second frame, looking back to its best and showing just how many offensive options it boasts on its roster. The big names were getting involved, with Jacob Furphy and Roman Siulepa among the contributors, as the Emus turned their quarter time deficit into a six-point buffer at the main change.

The Aussies kept their noses in front in the third period too, coming out of half time with the same offensive firepower that helped them to a lead in the first place. Cameroon was looking to get some sort of momentum, the Emus had an answer down the other end, and still held a seven-point lead with a quarter to play in regulation.

Although it was all Australia coming into the final frame, the script was flipped as Cameroon produced its best patch of form to date in the fourth quarter, going on a 13-0 run to remarkably take the lead with just minutes on the clock.

The Emus were trailing by six points with under a minute to play, and with the opposition inbounding the ball, looked in dire straits. However, a brain fade from Cameroon’s Amadou Seini had a moment he would like to take back, forgetting which end his team was going, and dunking the ball in Australia’s hoop to cut the margin to four. It sparked a run which saw the Aussies force overtime after Alex Dickeson tied things up with a triple.

Cameroon looked to make amends in the first extra period, and held a six-point lead again in what could have been a match-winning run. The Emus were not done yet, with Dash Daniels stepping up with some huge triples to force another overtime, where the Aussies finally snatched back the momentum and took the win despite a brave showing from the opposition.

As a future NBL Next Star and potential top-10 selection in the 2026 NBA Draft, Daniels lived up to the hype after a quiet showing against the USA, dropping 22 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals, including five made triples and some big shots down the stretch.

Siulepa was also a strong performer for the Aussies with 22 points and 13 rebounds, while Furphy (18 points, three boards, three assists) and Dickeson (12 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals) all played crucial roles.

For Cameroon, Gedeon Basson was impressive with 24 points and eight rebounds, while Franck Belbi led all-comers with 29 points on an impressive 10/17 shooting from the field as the pair almost dragged their side to victory.