Qatar weeps as Boomers boil

AUSTRALIA maintained their unbeaten home record for the FIBA World Cup qualifiers by crushing Qatar 110-59 in Melbourne last night.

Having qualified for the FIBA World Cup after Friday’s victory over Iran, the Boomers were untroubled against Qatar at Margaret Court Arena to round out a 6-0 winning record at home during the Asian zone qualifying rounds.

Australia’s outside shooting prowess and team-oriented approach was on full display as they drilled 21 three-pointers while recording 32 assists to Qatar’s nine.

The Boomers’ improved their overall record in Group F to 9-1 with their only blemish coming in a one-point away defeat to Japan in June.

Australia came out firing to lead by 12 points after making 11of-14 shots in the first quarter, including 6-of-8 from three-point range.

The Boomers took a 50-34 lead into halftime before running away with the contest in the second half.

After being the only Australian to go scoreless in the win over Iran, Jason Cadee led the way with 21 points while Cam Gliddon added 17, the Brisbane Bullets teammates each hitting five three-pointers.

Australia took control in the first quarter with Cadee and Todd Blanchfield coming off the bench to hit twice from long distance to build a 30-18 advantage.

The baskets kept flowing in the second quarter with Cadee racking up 13 points for the half but Mohamed Hassan A Mohamed and Mohd Yousuf Mohammed combined for 20 first-half points as the visitors kept the halftime deficit down to 16.

Australia then lifted to outscore Qatar 32-14 for the quarter. The home side finished off in style, Gliddon’s fifth triple pushing Australia beyond the 100point mark with four minutes left in the match.