The heart-breaking one-point defeat brings an end to the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup for the Boomers.
It was advantage Australia inside the final minute, holding a 64-59 lead only to see Turkey hit two huge three-pointers – including a deep triple from Emir Preldzic with five seconds left in the game.
The Boomers were unable to get a shot off in the final seconds, with the narrow defeat seeing Australia finish the tournament with a 3-3 record.
Airbnb Australian Boomers Head Coach Andrej Lemanis said he had a strong sense of pride for the efforts of his team.
“I’m very proud of the group and what they have achieved since we came together,” Lemanis said.
Tip-off was delayed by more than 10 minutes due to structural issues with the ring, which was compounded by further delays due to a faulty shot clock midway through the first quarter.
When asked in the post-game media conference whether the delays impacted on his team’s performance, Lemanis said it is important to play each game and situation as it comes.
“We rotate our players a lot so we like the game to be continuous,” Lemanis said.
“I think once it stops and slows it suited Turkey. We were running their guards pretty hard and that extra time gave them a bit of a break.
“But that’s sport – you’ve got to play the circumstances as they unfold and that’s one thing we pride ourselves on as a team is trying to be amorphous and adjusting to whatever situation is in front of us.”
Aron Baynes was again a standout for the Boomers, capping off a brilliant tournament with 15 points and seven rebounds, while Matthew Dellavedova had his best game of the World Cup, posting 13 points, five assists and three rebounds.
Joe Ingles was again influential, finishing the game with 10 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Cameron Bairstow played big minutes off the bench (19) on his way to 10 points and five rebounds.
Turkey was quick out of the blocks, racing to a 7-3 lead before a Ryan Broekhoff three-pointer sparked the Boomers into action, going on a 13-4 run to eventually take an 18-15 lead into the first break.
As Baynes and Bairstow began to take control down low, the Australian lead grew to as many as seven points before Turkey whittled away at the advantage and claimed the ascendency 32-31 in the shadows of half time.
A one-point half time Boomers’ lead would hit double digits after the restart, with the manic defensive pressure leading to transition baskets and a 48-36 score line midway through the third quarter.
With a technical foul called on the Turkish coach it appeared the wheels were falling off, but the 2010 FIBA Basketball World Cup silver medallists grinded away at the Australian lead, cutting it to just four points heading into the deciding fourth quarter.
Foul trouble saw the Boomers put Turkey in the penalty inside with more than six minutes to play, but they managed to hold the advantage on the scoreboard right into the final minute.
Turkey would produce two miraculous shots from beyond the arc to turn the 64-59 Australian advantage into a 65-64 Turkish victory.
ALL 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup games from the Quarter Final stage through to the Final will be broadcast LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on ABC and ABC2.
Airbnb Australian Boomers 64-65 Turkey
1Q: 18-15
2Q: 35-34
3Q: 50-46
4Q: 64-65
For the latest 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup broadcast information please check your local ABC and ABC2 guides.
Airbnb Australian Boomers 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup Results
Round of 16
Airbnb Boomers 64-65 Turkey
Group D
Airbnb Boomers 80-90 Slovenia
Airbnb Boomers 89-55 Korea
Airbnb Boomers 82-75 Lithuania
Airbnb Boomers 70-62 Mexico
Airbnb Boomers 83-91 Angola
*(All times subject to change)
Airbnb Australian Boomers Team – 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup
David Andersen – Strasbourg (France)
Cameron Bairstow – Chicago Bulls (NBA)
Aron Baynes – San Antonio Spurs (NBA)
Ryan Broekhoff – Besiktas (Turkey)
Matthew Dellavedova – Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)
Dante Exum – Utah Jazz (NBA)
Adam Gibson – Adelaide 36ers (NBL)
Chris Goulding – CAI Zaragoza (Spain)
Joe Ingles – Maccabi Tel-Aviv (Israel)
Nathan Jawai – Galatasaray (Turkey)
Brock Motum – Bologna (Italy)
Brad Newley – Gran Canaria (Spain)
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Andrej Lemanis
Assistant Coaches: Luc Longley and Trevor Gleeson
Mentor Coach: Dr Adrian Hurley
Technical Assistant Coach: Mick Downer
For all the latest from the Airbnb Boomers 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup campaign be sure to visit the BA website at www.basketball.net.au.
