Aussies downed by China in close final
(44642)The first quarter went the Aussie way, holding China to just 10pts with 1:30 left in the quarter, and a hard hit from young bull, UNzeitig, taking out China’s starting small forward and leading scorer Fahai. The aussies couldn’t hold the scoring in the final few plays though, allowing 7 pts in the final minute and a half to lead the visitors 18-17 at quarter time. O-boards were a rarity in the first with China not getting on the offensive glass, and Australia only pulling 2 themselves.
Unzeitig picked up his 3rd foul early in the 2nd quarter, sparking warning signs to the Aussie bench. But the Aussies kept China off the scoreboard for the first 3 mins of the quarter before Bangyuan thundered home an alley-oop, venting the frustration that kept him scoreless in the first 15mins of the game. Unfortunately this sparked China into confidence and they tore our team apart over the next 4mins. We gave up 5 fouls, 4 O boards, 10pts and failed to score ourselves. We ended the 2nd quarter 11pts down and in a real bad spot.
We couldn’t indent the lead at all in the third, keeping it to 11 points at 3 quarter time. The 4th quarter was miraculous, holding them scoreless for nearly 7 minutes! We bought the game within 2 with only 2 mins to go, but couldn’t quite take the lead back. The damage was done in the second quarter. As a manager I did learn a thing or two off this game though and hope to be able to apply it in season 41.
MVPs
3- Sherratt
2- Unzeitig. Stat sheet not brilliant but he kept doing huge things in the game. His first quarter almost got us that win.
1- Richardson- 6 assists also got us within fighting distance at the end. Pity about all those fouls.