ADELAIDE (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Australia needed a strong finishing kick, but they still managed to repel a hard-fighting Japan, 82-58, for their second Asian Qualifiers win.

Despite what the final score suggests, Australia certainly did not have an easy time in this one, not with the visiting Japanese shooting well in the early goings and trailing by just one point, 23-22, at the end of the first quarter. The Akatsuki Five continue to stay within striking distance of the Boomers up until the payoff period, where Australia outscored Japan, 22-8, to put the game beyond reach.

Big man Daniel Kickert did the most damage for the home side with 22 points on the back of 4 three-pointers, while Matthew Hodgson and Cam Gliddon each tallied 10 points. As for Japan, Makoto Hiejima once again shone with 17 points in their losing cause.

Australia return to action on 22 February 2018 by hosting the Philippines, while Japan face off against Chinese Taipei on the same date.

FIBA