POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Northern Mariana Islands - Australia 41:107
Australia coasted to the fourth straight win at the Oceania championship. They thumped Northern Mariana Islands today to book the top spot finish in the preliminary action. Six players scored in double digits for Australia in the win. Jeremy Hill notched 22 points to lead the charge. The hosts in the meantime slipped at 0-3 record at the bottom of the ladder.
Australia outmuscled their opponents on the boards 75:27 and eventually had an overwhelming advantage in every facet of the game. The Australian team marked their advantage early in the game as they edged the hosts 28:10 in the first frame. Having built a comfortable lead Aussies cruised later on. They stretched the buffer at 34 points at the interval. The tempo decreased in the third stanza but it did not prevent Australia from taking a 45-point lead into the final frame. They maintained the pressure till the final seconds and celebrated another victory in Saipan.
Jan Warbout nailed 16 points for the winners. Benjamin Purser tallied 13 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists for the visitors. Jericho Cruz had 13 points for Northern Mariana Islands. Jomary Tumaquip delivered 7 points in defeat.
CNMI: Jericho Cruz 13, Jomary Tumaquip 7
Australia: Jeremy Hill 22, Jan Warbout 16, Benjamin Purser 13+10 boards
