Australia remain undefeated, Germany will have to wait for other groups to conclude / News - Basketnews.com

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Patty Mills led Australia (3-0) to a top seed in the group with a victory over Germany (1-2) 89-76 (18-22, 26-18, 22-19, 23-17). Germany still have a chance to advance, but must wait for matches in other groups to finish.

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Credit: FIBA Credit: FIBA Credit: FIBA Credit: FIBA Credit: FIBA Credit: FIBA Credit: FIBA Credit: FIBA

The Boomers started the game with five unanswered points but then seemingly stopped, as they couldn't score for more than 4 minutes. Meanwhile, it took Germans almost three minutes to score their first basket, as Isaac Bonga made a driving layup with 7:21 to play in the first. That started Germany's 9-0 run, which helped them take the lead. The first quarter ended with Germany leading Australia by four (22-18).

The second quarter started with Joshiko Saibou's 3-pointer. But Australians, led by Patty Mills, hung around until a 3-pointer with 3:45 left to play in the second quarter brought back a lead (33-31). Germany called a timeout, after which teams returned prepared and focused defensively. Nick Kay's layup with halftime siren increased Australia's lead to four points (44-40).

Jock Landale and Patty Mills scored 11 points each, while the Germans had equal opportunity offense, as all of their starters scored, but none had more than eight points.

Patty Mills started the third quarter on the same note as he finished the second one: floater, 3-pointer, and a free-throw. That increased Australia's lead to ten points. But Germans weathered the storm, and the 3-pointer by Andreas Obst (at 5:43) tied the game at 50. After Australia's timeout, the Boomers won the remainder of the quarter 16-9 to build a 7-point lead going into the fourth.

The fourth quarter started with Joe Ingles, who was held scoreless, hitting two 3-pointers. But every Australia's spurt was answered by a little German's run, as the game remained close with 6:19 to play (77-72). However, with less than 3 minutes left, it appeared that the game was slipping away from the Germans. Despite having multiple second-chance opportunities, they couldn't score, and Australia chipped away. Mills set up Nick Kay for a 2-point shot, which increased their lead to 13 (87-74). That proved to be insurmountable, as Australia earned their 3rd win and top seed, while Germany must wait for matches in other groups to complete to learn their fate.

Australia: Patty Mills 24 (6 AST),Jock Landale 18,Nic Kay 16.

Germany:Andreas Obst 17,Johannes Thiemann 11,Niels Giffey 11.

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