By staff writers
August 17, 2003
A TIRED Australian men's basketball team were defeated 98-85 by host nation Latvia in the final game of its gruelling European tour in Riga today.
Chris Anstey top scored for the Boomers with 15 points while Paul Rogers and Matthew Nielsen added 14 points apiece.
Jason Smith again played well with 13 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
Australian coach Brian Goorjian was disappointed with the loss and hoped the team could regroup for a series against New Zealand September.
"There is no doubt that this was a disappointing note on which to finish the tour," said Goorjian.
"We looked tired tonight against a good team that had players that could shoot from anywhere on the floor, and we certainly missed the presence of Shane Heal.
"Hopefully we can turn it around between now and the start of the series against New Zealand on September 1."
The Boomers started the better of the two teams with Anstey and Smith providing the spark for Australia early on.
The pair had eight first-quarter points each as the Boomers led 27-26 at the end of the first period.peThe second term saw neither side able to gain a decisive advantage as Australia led by one at the half, 47-46.
In the third period, the weary Australians struggled to stay in touch with the home team as Latvia outscored the Boomers 22-14 for the quarter to hold a seven-point edge at the final change, 68-61.
Latvia then scored 30 points to the Australians 24 in the fourth quarter to score an impressive victory over the visitors.
The Latvians accurate shooting proved the difference in the game, as they connected on 15-of-29 three-pointers (52 per cent) to the Australians 7-of-24 (29 per cent).
The loss left Australia with a 2-6 record for the tour, which took on some of Europe's top teams.
The Boomers are using their European tour to prepare for the all-important FIBA Oceania Championship against archrivals the New Zealand Tall Blacks in Victoria.
AAP
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,6980304-23769,00.html
August 17, 2003
A TIRED Australian men's basketball team were defeated 98-85 by host nation Latvia in the final game of its gruelling European tour in Riga today.
Chris Anstey top scored for the Boomers with 15 points while Paul Rogers and Matthew Nielsen added 14 points apiece.
Jason Smith again played well with 13 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
Australian coach Brian Goorjian was disappointed with the loss and hoped the team could regroup for a series against New Zealand September.
"There is no doubt that this was a disappointing note on which to finish the tour," said Goorjian.
"We looked tired tonight against a good team that had players that could shoot from anywhere on the floor, and we certainly missed the presence of Shane Heal.
"Hopefully we can turn it around between now and the start of the series against New Zealand on September 1."
The Boomers started the better of the two teams with Anstey and Smith providing the spark for Australia early on.
The pair had eight first-quarter points each as the Boomers led 27-26 at the end of the first period.peThe second term saw neither side able to gain a decisive advantage as Australia led by one at the half, 47-46.
In the third period, the weary Australians struggled to stay in touch with the home team as Latvia outscored the Boomers 22-14 for the quarter to hold a seven-point edge at the final change, 68-61.
Latvia then scored 30 points to the Australians 24 in the fourth quarter to score an impressive victory over the visitors.
The Latvians accurate shooting proved the difference in the game, as they connected on 15-of-29 three-pointers (52 per cent) to the Australians 7-of-24 (29 per cent).
The loss left Australia with a 2-6 record for the tour, which took on some of Europe's top teams.
The Boomers are using their European tour to prepare for the all-important FIBA Oceania Championship against archrivals the New Zealand Tall Blacks in Victoria.
AAP
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,6980304-23769,00.html
