The Goannas have accelerated in a dominant fourth quarter to overcome Chinese Taipei in their final match of the World Deaf Basketball Championships.
A slow start to the match for Australia saw their opposition score the first four points of the match. From there, the Goannas were able to settle and draw level at 12-12 before a buzzer beater on quarter-time from long range gave Chinese Taipei a slim lead.
Morgan Williams immediately answered with a three-pointer of his own out of the first break and the match remained an arm-wrestle for the second period. Combining with Halil Durnaoglu, Williams attacked the basket and scored capably from the field as well as the free throw line to give the Goannas a four point advantage at half-time.
Australia were attacked repeatedly in the third quarter as Chinese Taipei attempted to reel in the margin but the Goannas held firm to maintain that four-point lead into the final term.
Chinese Taipei finally were able to penetrate the Goannas defence at the beginning of the fourth period, drawing level. Samuel Cartledge and Lachlan Jackson responded though, while Williams regained the momentum with a couple of strong assists to put Australia ahead by nine with under six minutes remaining.
The Goannas never looked back from that point, finishing the game on a 14-4 run to record a convincing victory. Jackson led the team with 19 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and two steals while Williams added 18 points and five boards. Cartledge (14 points and five steals) and Mark Bilyj (13 with eight rebounds) joined them in double-figure scoring.
In the spirit of reconciliation Basketball Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.