Paul, Browne power Australia into Canada showdown

• Game 1: Aussie Crocs at snappy best to tip-off Cup campaign‍
• Game 2: Paul gives statisticians sore fingers in five-point win
• Game: 3: Antonio Browne sends Australia into Round of 16

Australia booked a blockbuster FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup quarter-final against Canada after dismantling Slovenia 104-75 in a dominant Round of 16 performance in Istanbul on Thursday (AEST).

The unbeaten Crocs blew the game open in the opening half, racing to a 30-16 first-quarter lead before taking a commanding 58-30 advantage into halftime. Australia led for 39 minutes and 46 seconds and never allowed Slovenia to threaten as it secured a place in the final eight.

NBL Next Star Luke Paul continued his outstanding tournament with 20 points, six rebounds and a game-high eight assists in less than 26 minutes. The dynamic guard caught fire from long range, knocking down five three-pointers while adding two steals in another complete performance.

Antonio Browne matched Paul with 20 points, three rebounds and four assists, shooting five-from-eight from the field and three-from-four from beyond the arc. Browne took control during the third quarter, scoring 11 points in just over three minutes to extinguish any hopes of a Slovenian comeback.

Australia's depth was again on full display with six players scoring at least eight points.

William Hamilton added 10 points and five rebounds, John Aryang produced nine points, five rebounds and four assists, while Yahya Basaran finished with eight points, five rebounds and two blocks, posting a team-best plus-27.

The Crocs were outstanding offensively, shooting 57.8% from the field, including 57.7% from three-point range after making 15-of-26 attempts from deep. They also shared the ball superbly, finishing with 29 assists on 37 made field goals.

Australia's pressure defence forced 16 Slovenian turnovers while holding its opponent to just 39% shooting.

Head coach Greg Vanderjagt again utilised his entire squad, with all 12 Australians getting on the scoreboard in another emphatic team performance.

Aleks Pejic Rupnik led Slovenia with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists, but the Europeans had no answer for Australia's pace, ball movement and shooting.

The victory extends Australia's unbeaten run at the tournament and sets up a mouth-watering quarter-final against Canada, with a place in the medal rounds on the line.

Australian leaders

• Luke Paul: 20 points, six rebounds, eight assists
• Antonio Browne: 20 points, four assists, three rebounds
• William Hamilton: 10 points, five rebounds
• John Aryang: Nine points, five rebounds, four assists
• Yahya Basaran: Eight points, five rebounds, two blocks

Australia vs Slovenia Box Score