AUS - Emus escape with a win at four nations

MELBOURNE (U19 Four nations tournament) - Australia’s Under-19 Men’s team, the Emus, narrowly defeated France, 85-83, at the Under-19 Four Nations tournament tonight at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.

The Emus appeared to have the upper hand but France kept fighting back and levelled the scores at 83-83 with less than a minute remaining. As Emu Mitchell Young connected for two points, France missed their chance and Australia held on for the win.

Boomers squad member Brock Motum led all scorers with 20 points while Young grabbed a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Australia had the early break but handling errors from the Emus let France back into the quarter and the Aussies faced a one-point deficit, 13-14, at the first break.

The Emus grabbed the lead and stretched it out to 11 points in the second quarter but a timeout from France broke Australia’s momentum and the margin was pulled back to six points at halftime, 37-31.

Australia extended the margin to seven points at the last break but in the final term the lead disappeared rapidly as Jonathan Bourhis drained two quick 3-pointers.

The Emus went on a 12-3 run but the French were not finished despite levelling the scores at 83 apiece, the Emus came away with victory.

Earlier Greece trounced Spain 95-71 in the opening game of the tournament. Greece turned a five-point halftime lead into a 19-point advantage at the final break and Spain could not catch up.

Tomorrow night Spain and France meet at 6.00pm while the Emus will take on Greece at 8.00pm in Melbourne.

Quarter by quarter:

1: FRA 14 AUST 13
H: AUST 37 FRA 31 (24-17)
3: AUST 61 FRA 54 (24-23)
F: AUST 85 FRA 83 (24-29)

AUSTRALIA 85 (Brock Motum 20, Cody Ellis 15, Matthew Dellavedova 14) bt
FRANCE 83 (Andrew Albicy 17, Cristophe Leonard 14, Jonathan Bourhis 14)

Basketball Australia