Australia - Angola 70:60
Australia posted the third straight win at the Boris Stankovic Continental Cup in Kunshan City. They held off the African champions Angola to enter the Final game undefeated. The Boomers will face Turkey for the title. Angola will look for the initial win when they take on hosting China in the consolation final today.
Australia seemed en route to a cruising win as they opened the game with 9 points in a row. But a barrage of misses from the Aussies allowed Angola to get within one 12:13. Australia however closed the first frame with 7 points in a row to grab a 19:12 lead. The Boomers quickly jumped to a 10-point advantage in the second frame. Angola never surrendered and went on a 14:1 run to secure a 31:29 lead at halftime. The African powerhouse maintained the pressure and stretched the margin to 10 points early in the third stanza. Australia pulled together late in the stanza and cut the distance to two points with one quarter to go. Liam Rush (203-F/G-82, agency: Interperformances) put the Aussies in charge Luke Schenscher (216-C-82, agency: Priority Sports, college: Georgia Tech) and Damian Martin (186-G-84, college: Loyola Marymount) quickly extended the gap to 7 points and Australia rallied to the victory.
Liam Rush and Oscar Forman (205-G/F-82) finished with 12 points each for Australia. Stephen Wiegh added 7 points for the winners. Miguel Kiala (198-C-90) answered with 17 points for Angola. Roberto Fortes (193-G-84, college: Illinois St.) and Milton Barros (184-G-84) had 14 points each in defeat.
Australia: Liam Rush 12, Oscar Forman 12, Stephen Weigh (198-G/F-87) 7
Angola: Miguel Kiala 17, Roberto Fortes 14, Milton Barros 14