The basketball gods were smiling on Australia on Saturday, the Boomers somehow conjuring a one-point victory over Jordan in their opening match at the world championship at Kayseri Arena.
The upstart Jordanians, making their first ever appearance at a major tournament, led for almost the entire contest before the Boomers stole a 76-75 win in the opening match in Group A.
After David Andersen hit two free-throws with 13 seconds left to give Australia the lead, Jordan then missed a lay-up and three open tip-ins as time expired in a game the Boomers had to win to have any hope of progressing deep into the competition.
Jordan won the rebound count 37-35, had fewer turnovers and took 12 more shots, but ultimately Australia’s experience proved decisive.
“We were very lucky,” Australian coach Brett Brown said.
“I thought defensively we were poor.
“Jordan outworked us for the very large majority of the game.
“We recognise very clearly that we were very fortunate to get away with the win.”
Centre Aleks Maric was a revelation in his first game at this level, finishing with a game-high 23 points and nine rebounds, while Andersen added 22 points and nine boards.
But Australia’s bevy of young perimeter players failed to cope with the occasion, finishing a combined 4-of-19 from three-point territory.
Zaid Abbas led Jordan with 20 points and 10 boards in an impressive performance, although he missed one of the open shots at the end that would have won the game.
Jordan guard Osama Daghles was devastated they let the match slip away.
“It was a very, very hard, tough game and we had control of it,” he said.
“This one is hard to swallow and it will be tough to sleep tonight.
“We should have closed the game out and we didn’t.”
The Australians have a history of starting poorly in major tournaments and it appeared likely to happen again after a dreadful first half ended with Jordan leading 39-32.
The Boomers managed just two field goals in the opening six minutes of play and were down by as much as 11 points midway through the third quarter.
They then finally showed some form to grab a one-point lead at the last break, punctuated by Maric’s emphatic tip-dunk just before the buzzer, but Australia again went cold in the final quarter before just scraping home.
Written off as the weakest team in the group, Jordan showed they might just surprise a few countries in Turkey.
“I’m very proud of my players. We showed we are a good team and can play at this level,” coach Mario Palma said.
“Australia is one of the best teams in the tournament and in the end experience wins.”
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