Improbable comeback sends Australia to Final

DUBAI (FIBA U17 World Championship) - Australia fought back from a 22-point deficit to knock off Spain, 80-74, in overtime and set up a 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship title bout with two-time reigning undefeated champions United States - a repeat of the 2012 U17 Worlds Final.

Tom Wilson had two lay-ups after steals in the final 35 seconds as the Aussies scored the final eight points in the last two minutes of regulation to force the extra session.

Isaac Humphries led the way again for Australia with 22 points, eight rebounds, five blocks, two assists and two steals. Wilson had 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Dejan Vasiljevic scored 14 points and Harry Frohling had a dozen.

Spain committed seven of their 12 turnovers in the final seven minutes of the game and will face off against Serbia in the Third-Place game - in a repeat of the 2013 U16 European Championship Final which Spain won in overtime. Jaume Sorolla had 15 points to lead Spain.

Australia went 0-for-6 from long range in the first quarter and shot just 25 percent in the first 10 minutes as Spain led 21-11.

Spain's lead swelled to 22 points at 40-18, but Froling knocked down two long balls late in the second quarter to cut the gap to 43-32 at the break.

The Australians got the deficit down to five at 43-38 but Spain pushed it back to 55-45 before it was a 55-49 lead after 30 minutes.

Vasiljevic missed a three which would have tied the game at 60-60 and Spain led 67-59 with two minutes left. But the Australians put the pressure on their opponents who turned the ball over in the final minute, leading to two Wilson baskets that forced the game into overtime, where Spain committed four turnovers to hand over the victory to Australia.

FIBA