Landale injury sours Boomers win

A serious looking ankle injury to star centre Jock Landale has soured Australia’s final Boomers vs World clash with South Sudan, ahead of the rapidly approaching World Cup.

In a game that was already missing veteran guard Chris Goulding due to injury, Landale turned his left ankle late in the first quarter and immediately left the action to hobble down the tunnel. He did not return.

Joe Ingles also sat out of the game, while Josh Green returned to the lineup after missing the clashes with Venezuela and Brazil.

The Bright Stars started the game strongly while Australia’s shooting woes from Wednesday’s loss to Brazil continued, but an exceptional 25-2 scoring run by the Boomers across the first and second quarters laid the foundations for the 22-point victory.

Duop Reath once again thrived in Landale’s absence at the centre position and ended the game with 15 points and six rebounds.

Saint Mary’s centre Harry Wessels also made his first senior appearance for Australia following his training stint with the side, scoring two points. 

The Boomers’ game-winning run through the first half was kickstarted by a return to the side’s full-court press, with two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team nominee Matisse Thybulle leading the charge.

Thybulle also benefitted the most from his team's dogged and active defence on the offensive end and finished with a game-high 17 points, including shooting a 100 per cent clip from the three-point line.

Reigning NBL MVP Xavier Cooks also continued to do his final selection chances no harm, with 11 points and shot a perfect five-of-five from the field.

Australia also proved its desire to give up good shots for great shots, and led the final assist count 26-11.

The strong NBL contingent within the South Sudanese side also performed strongly in the clash.

Adelaide wing Sunday Dech struggled to hit his shots throughout the game, but turned provider to finish the game with four assists.

Tasmania’s Junior Madut and New Zealand’s Mangok Mathiang both played solid minutes off the bench, as Bright Stars coach Royal Ivey looks to trim his squad down to 12 players ahead of this weekend’s tournament start.

The moment of the game was provided by South Sudanese youngster Khaman Maluach. The 16-year-old South Sudanese centre dunked over NBA champion Jack White in what was a glimpse into the future of South Sudanese basketball.

The Boomers will now travel to Japan with a squad of 13 players, and will be sweating on the fitness of both Goulding and Landale.

Australia’s first game is set to begin at 5pm local time against Finland in Okinawa, on August 25. 

AUSTRALIA 88 (Thybulle 17, Reath 15, Mills 11, Cooks 11)
SOUTH SUDAN 67 (Shayok 15, Jones 7, Maluach 7, Mathiang 6)