No medal after Boomers’ last gasp loss to Spain
Fourth in four Olympic Games – David Anderson after the Boomers fell to Spain in the final seconds. Photo: Getty /Christian Petersen
The Boomers have missed out on the podium in Rio after an agonising 89-88 loss to Spain in a breathtaking bronze medal game.
Australia was leading 88-87 with just under 10 seconds on the clock, but two free throws landed by Spain and a spilt possession in the dying stages saw the bronze slip from its grasp.
Frustration from Australia coach Andrej Lemanis during the Boomers’ loss to Spain. Photo: Getty/ Elsa
The Boomers have now finished fourth at the Games on four occasions but perhaps this was their best chance to walk away with a medal.
Inside the final three minutes the Boomers were 80-79 ahead before a thrilling passage of play saw the lead swap eight times prior to a Patty Mills foul sending Sergio Rodriguez to the line.
Point guard Patty Mills shoots for Australia. Photo: Getty/Christian Petersen
Rodriguez barely broke a sweat in coolly slotting both attempts but even with just over five seconds on the clock the Boomers still had a chance to snatch the win as they were given possession back up court.
But the ball was fumbled and so too where the hopes of the Boomers winning a maiden Olympic medal, their despair contrasting the joyful scenes coming from the Spanish camp and their supporters.
The Mills foul was not a blight on his game, as he impressed with a 30-point haul, while the experience of captain David Andersen told with 15 points for the game.
The Boomers’ cause was not helped with Andrew Bogut getting fouled out of the game early in the third quarter.
Spain’s veteran Pau Gasol was immense, with 31 points and 11 rebounds for the bronze medallists.
Spanish players celebrate after their one–point win against the Boomers. Photo: EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty
Spain lead early against the Boomers
Although it was the Boomers who opened the scoring through a basket to Aron Baynes, Spain was in command of the scoreboard in the first term to lead 23-17 at the end of the first quarter.
Foul trouble from the Boomers regularly sent the Spanish to the free throw line, while Nikola Mirotic, who plays for Chicago Bulls in the NBA, was dangerous from the field.
A heartbreaking loss to end an extraordinary campaign for the Boomers. Still, make no mistake: basketball in Australia is in great shape
— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) August 21, 2016
Mills landed two points late in the term to put the Boomers only three points adrift in the shadows of quarter-time but a three-pointer from Victor Claver opened up the six-point buffer at the break.
Spain was seemingly asserting its dominance midway through the second period and at one stage established a 12-point lead over the Boomers, 40-28.
Joe Ingles scored from the free throw line to cut the deficit back to 10 points and effective Boomers defence began to dry up Spain’s scoring.
Small forward Joe Ingles is consoled by a Spanish player after the loss. Photo: Getty/Mark Ralston
The Boomers, though, struggled to capitalise at the other end of the court until Mills drained a three-pointer to put his side only seven points behind.
Andersen added another bomb from outside the three-point line and Spain’s advantage was reduced to 40-36, as half-time approached.
The Boomers skipper was sent to the line following a Gasol personal foul with only seconds on the clock and he added two points, leaving Spain 40-38 ahead as both teams left the court.
Boomers lose Bogut for the game
The Boomers made a mixed start to the third period, with Bogut earning a fifth personal foul for an early shower, while scores to Mills and Andersen balanced the blow and put them ahead 43-42.
Andrew Bogut was fouled out early in the third quarter. Photo: Getty/Christian Petersen
Spain regained the lead, with Gasol making his mark, but on more than one occasion the Boomers levelled, as Mills especially began to step up.
A foul on Mills saw the three-time Olympian add a point from a free throw to put the Boomers 52-51 in front before it was Gasol’s turn and the score was tied yet again.
Baskets were traded as the period wound down and it was Spain who snuck its nose in front to be 67-64 up ahead of what turned out to be a pulsating final quarter.
As late as 2:46 on the clock, and with the Boomers clinging to a one-point lead, both teams swapped scores with Gasol and Baynes among those responding to the opposition with baskets.
Mills got in on the act as well and Gasol was again creating trouble for the Boomers, and eventually it was two points from Baynes that set up the 88-87 scoreline with 9.7 seconds to play.
