Australia defeats Lithuania 84-82 (31202)Australia has won a thrilling game to take the victory off 6th ranked Lithuania overnight, in New Zealand.
Tactics were a key coming in to the game with Konrad Doran, Australias most top inside prospect, going down with a soft tissue injury. With no suitable replacements available, Australian management made the decision to go into the game with one big short.
"It was a risk, especially if we had an in game injury" management described of the decision. "Certainly not an ideal situation, we would like to have support suited up ready to cover all situation, even mismatches".
The game did not go without its twists, starting with a sub 8 seconds into the game, where flipper entered for his home town player, and close friend, "JAK" Katem. Australia took the lead 44-36 at half time.
The third quarter had a change in the tides, with Lithuania coming out and tearing down the defense that held them so well in the first half, as they poured on 23pts in the 3rd quarter, whilst conceding only 14pts, to take the lead 59-58 at 3 quarter time.
The final quarter saw Australian staff go right to the end of its bench, gaining contributions from each of the 11 suited up players. Lithuania went out to a 5pt lead with 4 minutes to go, thanks to the power of Toliušis and Neverovicius who went on an unstoppable surge of points inside. But Australia turned to its depth, with Hartley providing a great no look pass to Salter for the basket, and in the same minute, Salter returning the favour with an identical play back to Hartley.
"He is such a versitile player" Hartley said, ironically. You cant try to stop one part of his game, like passing, and he will sense your intent and score on you. The next play he will play mind games with you and make a great pass". Hartley himself showed a very similar trait, making a few big plays, and dishing out 3 assists.
The final minute saw a few crucial plays as team desperately tried to grab the lead. Beausoleil came up big with a basket late, providing that energy from the bench, and rewarding the coaching staff's 4 big man roatation selection.
But it was Lithuania that came home strong, drawing the lead back with 12 seconds to go.
"We drew up a play for the big guy, Bridgewater" Grief said. "But as I dribbled in to the 45 (angle) I saw his man jumping all over him. My man was so focused on stopping the feed inside, I got my feet set, and got lucky". Grief described the play well, as with 4 seconds left in the game, he drained a "dagger" 3 ball, taking Australias lead up 2. The game had a final play with Tigrudis getting the ball for a baseline shot to keep the game alive, but it was once again the defense of Good Grief that made the shot difficulty too much for the high scoring Lithuania side.
MVP Votes3. Bridgewater- 9-12FG, top scoring for the Aussies with a 20pt, 8 rebound game.
2. Good Grief- 12 pts, 5 assists, 2 steals that included the game winning 3. His defense was impeccable.
1. Santegoods- The 20yr old not only put up 13pts, 8 boards and a vital 3, but stopped Lithuanias key player, Culkovas, a man 3 times his salary! Culkovas was a key threat to the teams success, and great defense held him to 11pts on 33% shooting.
Our next match will be no less important, with 4th ranked Serbia. Konrads injury should be better, and we hope to see some pops with only 2 pops from the 12 man squad last week, a sign that there will be a few this week!
Last edited by whitewind at 11/18/2014 03:19:55