AUS/CHN/SLO/IRI - Slovenia beat Boomers to claim Stankovic Cup

LIUZHOU (2010 FIBA World Championship) - Slovenia laid down a marker in their preparations for the FIBA World Championship as they beat Australia to lift the Stankovic Continental Cup.

Slovenia triumphed 71-60 in the final of the four-team competition, which also featured Iran and China. Sani Becirovic led the team coached by his father Memi to victory, pouring in 20 points while Goran Dragic had 13 and Samo Udrih 12.

Australia, who entered the final unbeaten having defeated Slovenia 77-63 earlier in the tournament, could not find their shooting touch against Slovenia's defense.

They made only 19-of-58 shots from the field all night, including a paltry 5-of-23 from three-point range.

However, it was turnovers that upset coach Brett Brown as Australia surrendered the title they had won last year.

“You have to give credit to the Slovenians, they played well,” said Brown. “We simply gave up way too many turnovers. 

You can live with your key guys failing to connect on a single three all game, but when you’re giving up 18 turnovers in a game that’s just way too much to expect to win at this level.

“It’s an important lesson for us as we move on to the World Championship. If you throw the ball around the gym, like we did tonight, you just can’t expect to win games against quality international opposition.”

Joe Ingles and David Andersen led Australia with 14 points each.

China claimed third place in the tournament by beating Iran 76-58.

Yi Jianlian led the way with 18 points and 10 rebounds in only 18 minutes of action.

Wang Shipeng scored 14 and Zhou Peng had 10.

The win saw China bounce back from a 75-71 loss to Slovenia that cost them a place in the final.

Yi had scored 11 points in the opening quarter, but then sat out the rest of the match.

Wang Zhizhi led China with 17 points, but that was not enough against a Slovenia team led by Drajic's 15 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, with the help of 13 points from Udrih.

Australia booked their ticket to the final with a 69-60 win over Iran as Patrick Mills poured in 16 points.

FIBA