Fiba Qualifying match Australia vs Iran.
Bookies spread was Boomers by 18.5 points, my guess +12.
1st Quarter:
After back to back misses by DJ Vasiljevic, Iran open the scoring. Australia had a rough start and looked like they were slow to get there offense going until Nick Kay delivered a smooth move inside for a layup, reminding us just how good and versatile a player he is. Kay followed this up with a rebound on the defensive end and an offensive rebound and tip in on the other. He is just somehow everywhere in this game.
Luke Travers checked in early in the 1st and found a quick steal which was closely followed by a block on defense and an open 3 by the Boomers and we looked to start rolling. Luke Travers somehow had his hands on everything on defense and you can see why the Cavaliers took a punt with him in the Draft.
For Iran Jamshidi looked to keep them in the game and tried to control the offense for Iran.
DJ managed to get a bucket to close out the 1st quarter.
2nd Quarter:
Opening the second Quarter DJ had another turnover and it looked like it was going to be a long night for him.
For Iran Sajjad Mashayakhi had one of the smoothest moves of the game to shake his defender on the inside for an easy layup. Standing 5'11" its not easy to find yourself that open in the paint but his move had his defender flailing backward.
Jamshidi continued to carry the majority of the load on offence for Iran but Australia really started to crank up its Defence. Between Mitch Norton and Mitch McCaron hounding Jamshidi on defence it was going to be a tough night.
With the Boomers defence starting to crank a few notches Nick Kay took over the game in the second quarter hitting back to back 3's and seeming to find every rebound and throwing a touch down pass to a leaking Sam Froling. Australia blew the lead out to 18 points with 6 minutes left in the second quarter but Kay soon took a seat for rest.
Iran pushed back and managed to bring the deficit back to 11 to close out the half.
3rd Quarter
After half time it was expected Australia would come out pushing hard to get that big lead back but Iran came out firing and looked like they couldn't miss. They had a fire in them that Australia looked like it couldn't match after the long flight home. Iran went on a 14-0 run to take the lead 43-44 with 6:30 left in the qtr. It started looking shaky for Australia but after a couple of Mitch Norton foul shots, and a Nick Kay and DJ pick and roll it calmed the squad. They took a time out and the Boomers came out hungry to shut down Iran with some intense defence.
Then DJ came out firing, hitting back to back triples from a couple of huge defensive plays and assists from Luke Travers.
Travers and DJ took over the game in the third quarter. With DJ on offense and Travers on defense it was a two person Boomers outfit for while. Travers was everywhere on defence and had his hands on the ball constantly. He'd block a layup, then close out the 3 attempt in the same play. Travers scored his first bucket with 1:30 left in the third but his fingerprints where all over the game making huge defensive plays every other time down the floor.
It was a whirlwind quarter with Australia opening it up 11 to then be down 2 to close it out up 7, 65-58.
4th quarter:
DJ opened the fourth continuing his form from the third and greatly improved from the first half with a smooth layup on the inside, which was followed by a Norton steal and 2 more points from DJ, and followed by a bomb 3 as he took over the game!
Boomers open the 4th with a 9-0 run and it seemed like nothing could stop DJ as he drops another bomb 3 and a layup. While on defence the Boomers put the clamps on Iran who could not make a bucket.
With 6:00 left in the 4th Australia had blown the lead out to 18 points, 80-62.
DJ Vasiljevic leaves the game at the 5:00 mark in the 4th with 23 points, 5 boards and 2 assists. He opened the half with 2 points!
At this point the game is blown open and Australia gets their young players some court time. The 18 yr olds Alex Toohey and Rory Hawke both made some nice plays and managed to show what an upcoming talent they both are and should be on everyone's radar in the future as Australia Cruise to a 30 point victory 98-68.
I didn't know how the Boomers would bounce back after the long flight and things certainly looked a little shaky in the third, but with the depth of talent the boomers now have they controlled the game well. Iran definitely could have gotten closer if a few more shots had dropped but when the ball stops dropping its hard to stay with a team as talented as the Boomers.
It was a fun game and great to see so many young Australian players getting the opportunity to show their talent at the international level.
Notable Boomers:
Nick Kay: 20 points, 7 rebounds (3 offensive)
Dj Vasiljeic: 23 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists,
Luke travers: 6 Blocks, 6 points, 2 steals, 4 assists
Notable Iran players:
Mohammad Jamshidi: 17 Points,
Sajjad Mashayekhi: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists
Salar Monji: 10 points, 6 rebounds 3 assists
