JEDDAH: Australia took the FIBA Asia Cup basketball for the third time in a row after a dramatic 90-89 victory over China at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Sunday.
The Boomers trailed all the way, with China leading by up to 15 points early in the game.
Xavier Cooks pumped in 30 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, Jaylin Galloway contributed 23 points and 5 rebounds, and William Hickey added 15 points as the Boomers steadily narrowed down China’s lead.
With just 1:09 remaining in the last quarter, Hickey scored the basket that turned the tide. China had a chance to win but Hu Mingxuan’s buzzer-beater attempt bounced off the rim. Hu led his team with 26 points.
With the victory, Australia became the second team in Asia Cup history to achieve a “three-peat”. The Boomers also extended their unbeaten run to 18 games since they joined the tournament in 2017.
