THE AUSTRALIAN Boomers were back in action on Thursday night, claiming an impressive 13-point win over Guam when the two sides went head to head in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Thursday night.
The Boomers headed overseas for the tournament, which was taking place in Guam over the weekend, and the Aussies were slated to play their first game at the University of Guan Field House on Thursday. Despite being in enemy territory, Australia was highly fancied to get the job done, having brought a strong team full of National Basketball League (NBL) talent.
Despite playing Guam on its home turf, the Boomers were too good for the hosts, claiming a double-digit victory to kickstart their weekend in style and show that they are still one of the biggest contenders to the 2026 World Cup.
Australian Boomers (93) def. Guam (80)
The Boomers came into the match with plenty of NBL pedigree on their roster, making Guam serious underdogs for the contest. However, the home side never waivered, and showed plenty of fight despite being up against it facing off against the premier side in the Asian Cup qualifiers.
Although Guam was brave in its performance, the main difference between the two sides was three-point shooting, with two Aussie guns leading the way there before they return for the NBL postseason in the coming weeks.
It was the pairing of Melbourne United forward Tanner Krebs and Perth Wildcats guard Elijah Pepper that broke the game open, as the duo fired from long range to combine for 13 three-pointers and punish Guam from behind the arc. The hosts simply could not match that level of firepower from three-point territory, and were unable to keep up on the scoreboard as a result.
Krebs was immense for the Boomers, dropping 28 points on 8/13 shooting from behind the three-point line in a magnificent debut in an Aussie uniform. Set to suit up for United in a play-in match on Thursday night, the forward sent an ominous message to his opponents with his form from long range for the victors in Guam.
Pepper was in ripping form himself, knocking down five three-pointers to finish the match with 23 points of his own, and if he can carry that sort of form into the NBL postseason, it will bode well for his Wildcats in their championship pursuit.
Illawarra Hawks big man Sam Froling was also rock solid for the Boomers in the win, finishing with a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Krebs’ United teammate Tom Wilson added 11 points eight rebounds and eight assists in a stat-stuffing performance.
Boomers bests Guam in FIBA action
THE AUSTRALIAN Boomers were back in action on Thursday night, claiming an impressive 13-point win over Guam when the two sides went head to head in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Thursday night. The Boomers headed overseas for the tournament, which was taking place in Guam over the weekend, and the Aussies were […]
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