MANGILAO VILLAGE (Guam) - Australia assured themselves a spot in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers' Second Round following a 93-80 victory over Guam in the Window 2 opener Thursday evening.
The Boomers overcame a sluggish start and took the lead for good in the second chapter behind Elijah Pepper's hot shooting from deep on the way to securing a ticket to the next phase that commences in August.
They remained undefeated along the way as the defending three-time FIBA Asia Cup champions collected their third win in as many games, taking over the Philippines (2-0) to seize the provisional lead in Group A.
The debuting Tanner Krebs starred for Australia with 28 points behind an excellent 8-of-13 clip from beyond the arc, tied for the second-most three-pointers made in a single game in the World Cup Qualifiers.
Pepper delivered 23 points on a quintet of triples, three of which he made to power a 16-2 rally that turned a one-point deficit to a 42-29 lead late in the second, completely turning the game around in their favor.
Sam Froling made 13 points and 10 rebounds. Tom Wilson flirted with a triple-double after tallying 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Nick Kay came through with a double-double of his own with 10 and 11.
Eyeing a sixth straight World Cup appearance, the Aussies earned themselves a quicker trip to the Second Round following a perfect run in the opening window, in which they beat New Zealand twice thanks to Davo Hickey.
Now at 3-0, Coach John Rillie & Co. have moved halfway through replicating their perfect First Round run during the previous World Cup Qualifiers, in which they went 6-0 heading into the following round.
World Cup Pedigree
AUSTRALIA
Number of participations: 13
Last participation: 2023 (10th)
Best finish: 4th (2019)
Past Qualifiers
Edition | Record |
|---|---|
2023 (Q) | 11-1 (1st in Group F - Second Round) |
2019 (Q) | 10-2 (1st in Group F - Second Round) |
Who will they face in the Second Round?
The top three teams from Group A and Group C will form Group E in the Second Round, carrying over all results from the First Round.
Group A |
|
|---|---|
Qualified | Australia, Philippines |
In contention | New Zealand, Guam |
Eliminated |
|
Group C |
|
|---|---|
Qualified |
|
In contention | Jordan, Iran, Syria, Iraq |
Eliminated |
|
FIBA