Australia record first victory over Argentina in almost 20 years
By James Dampney
August 08, 2009 An under-strength Australia have upset Argentina in double overtime in Brazil, claiming the Boomers' first win over the South Americans in almost 20 years.
In an epic clash, young guard Joe Ingles led all scorers with 25 points in an encouraging 110-107 triumph in a four nation's event at Brazil's Barueri Arena.
The tour is a key part of new coach Brett Brown's preparations for the upcoming two-game Oceania series against New Zealand which will determine seedings for next year's world championship in Turkey.
It is Australia's first victory over the Argentines, the Athens Olympic gold medallists who also picked up bronze in Beijing last year, since the 1990 world championship.
Dallas Maverick Nathan Jawai added 22 points and seven boards for the Boomers, while keeping fellow NBA big man Luis Scola of the Houston Rockets to just 2-of-8 shooting.
It was Australia's second straight win after overcoming Uruguay and they will now face Brazil in the decider.
"I'm happy for the guys," Brown said of a team missing the likes of Andrew Bogut, Patrick Mills, David Andersen and Matt Nielsen.
"It was a grind out there and we showed a fantastic resilience to find a way through the physicality to close out the game."
"The collective effort was there, we made great adjustments on the run and incrementally we've gotten better with every game on tour."
The match was tight all the way, with the home side leading by three points at quarter-time before the Boomers rallied to take a 47-43 edge into the main break.
Scores were tied 69-69 at three quarter-time and an Ingles fadeaway jumpshot on the final buzzer then forced overtime.
Still locked at 98-98 after the first extra period, a key three-pointer late in the second overtime from Oscar Forman helped seal the upset win.
Adam Gibson, who has taken over the point guard duties from absentees Mills and CJ Bruton, had 17 points and five assists.
Brown had special praise for Ingles, Gibson and Forman, his trio of young guards. "Joey was sensational," he said.
"He started the game well and was creating his own shot, he had some great individual moments and he saw the game through."
"Gibson has been solid throughout the whole tour but Oscar was really the unsung hero of this game."
"He had 13 points off the bench and hit a huge three in the second overtime to put us up by four."
