OKINAWA (Japan) – Slovenia used a big fourth quarter to finish off Australia, 91-80, to reach the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Quarter-Finals, Friday night at the Okinawa Arena.
Luka Doncic overcame foul trouble and finished with 20 points, including a deep three-pointer to give themselves an 88-69 lead with 1:55 left to seal the deal – and earn sweet payback against the team that beat them for the bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics two years ago. The 24-year-old star submitted another full line with 7 rebounds and 6 assists together with a steal and a block each, but it was really the team’s all-around effort that made the win possible. Center Mike Tobey, for one, submitted his first-ever World Cup double-double performance with 18 points and 12 rebounds, along with 5 assists without a turnover. Shooter Klemen Prepelic and Gregor Hrovat, meanwhile, chipped in 10 points apiece as all 10 players fielded by Coach Aleksander Sekulic scored at least two in the win that ousted the Boomers – touted by fans and pundits alike as one of the favorites this year – out of contention.
Tobey netted a 33 EFF rating in a performance that made him only the second player with 15-plus points, 10-plus rebounds, and 5-plus assists in a FIBA World Cup game, after his teammate Doncic had 34-10-6 against Georgia back in the First Round. It was indeed a disappointing run for Australia, especially after reaching the Semi-Finals of the 2019 World Cup in China and ultimately finished fourth.
fiba.basketball
