Team Canada has defeated one of their opponents at the upcoming FIBA World Cup in China, Australia. Nick Nurse and his boys, were more than confident against Australia trashing them with 90-70.
Throughout the whole event, Canada was controlling the tempo and was ahead, not allowing the rival to regroup and finds a way for some comeback. Even though the Aussies were playing at home, that didn’t count in this one. Canada came out strong and reached a double-digit lead already through the first quarter, but the hosts manage to decrease the gap to five at the end of the opening 10 minutes.
Still, the guests continued in the same rhythm, and mostly because of a hot Kevin Pangos led 46-36 at the halftime. Barcelona’s player had a little show in the last three and a half minutes of the half with five points, three steals and a block and an assist. Until the break he collected 13 points, hitting three of four shots from behind the three-point line.
“A group like this, when we’re playing hard like that, it makes up for a lot of mistakes. That’s what coach has been preaching a lot: just play hard and aggressive, play with confidence,”
said Pangos after the game.
The third period was played in waves. Both sides had their runs, but in the end, the difference was similar, Canada led 67-60 before the start of the final quarter. And shortly after that, it was all about one team on the floor. Nick Nurse’s boys had one hell of a finish, which stunned the Boomers who couldn’t catch their breath. The fans at RAC Arena became quiet, as just one team played. The Canadians won that part of the match with 23-10, completely annihilating the Australian offense.
The final result was a message of the Canadian team to the Australians that they want the first place in their group in China.
Coach Nurse was more than happy with what he saw on Friday, explaining that there is more room for improvement. The chemistry is not fully created, which means that his unit can be much better.
“Chemistry is an elusive thing,” Nurse said. “I’m happy we’ve been able to get some…. I’m new, so I’m still trying to learn them, and they’re trying to learn me a little bit, so it was nice to have good chemistry at both ends.”
Canada had 6 players with 10 or more points. Behind Pangos stood Andrew Nembhard and Kaza Kajami-Keane with 12 buckets each. Nembhard added 10 rebounds to it as well.
As fort eh Australian team, Patty Mills, the San Antonio Spurs’ point guard scored 20 points, Jock Landale the former Partizan Belgrade center added 18 and 8 boards. Australia was dominant in the paint, outscoring the rival 50-32, but that didn’t help them too much.
This is the first of two matches between the two teams. The next one is this Saturday, and there is no doubt that the home team will have a huge motive to get even with their rival.
