Pepper too hot for Syria as Boomers debutants shine

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Sharpshooter Elijah Pepper has given Perth Wildcats fans plenty to be hopeful about after starring in the Australian Boomers' 123-64 win over Syria at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.

Pepper connected on eight three-pointers from 12 attempts for 32 points as the Boomers dominated their opponents by 59 points under fill-in coach and new Melbourne United mentor Jacob Chance.

He also showed Wildcats fans how damaging he and new recruit, former University of Arizona guard Anthony Dell'Orso, could form at RAC Arena for John Rillie and his team as they combined for 43 points as five Boomers reached double figures.

Returning United forward Luke Travers made an immediate impact in his return to the green and gold colours with two highlights dunks in a game, where he recorded 14 points on top of four rebounds and three assists.

Max Mackinnon, who followed in his dad's footsteps by representing the Boomers, had 10 points on debut while Josh Bannan also had 10 points and eight rebounds.

Australia next take on Jordan on Sunday at 7pm AEST.

MATCH REPORT

Australia dismantled Syria 123-64 at Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, riding a record-setting shooting display from Elijah Pepper to a 59-point statement win. The Boomers shot 52.9% from the field and drilled 14 threes as every available player found the scoreboard.

Pepper detonates from deep

Elijah Pepper led all scorers with 32 points on 12-of-17 shooting, burying 8-of-12 from beyond the arc in just over 20 minutes. He added two rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block to finish with a game-high efficiency rating of 35, setting the tone with relentless perimeter pressure that Syria simply could not contain.

Travers efficient inside

Luke Travers was near flawless from the floor, converting 6-of-7 attempts, all from two-point range, to post 14 points, four rebounds and three assists. His interior finishing complemented Pepper's outside shooting and gave Australia a balanced attack that produced 64.6% shooting inside the arc.

Bannan and Froling control the glass

Josh Bannan powered the frontcourt with 11 points and eight rebounds, hitting 7-of-8 from the free-throw line to headline an 82.6% team night from the stripe. Sam Froling was a perfect 4-of-4 from the field for eight points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Nick Kay added eight points and six rebounds on 3-of-4 shooting.

Depth overwhelms Syria

Australia's supporting cast punished Syria across the board. Anthony Dell'Orso poured in 11 points, Maxwell Mackinnon added 10 off the bench, Dash Daniels stuffed the sheet with nine points, seven rebounds and four assists, and Jacob Holt chipped in nine points and eight rebounds. The Boomers finished with 26 assists on 45 field goals and dominated the boards 55-24, including 26 offensive rebounds.

Justice Jr carries lonely fight

James Justice Jr shouldered Syria's offence with 21 points and four assists across the full 40 minutes, though he needed 21 shots to get there and finished 3-of-11 from three. Christian James Maran added 12 points and three rebounds, and Omar Cheikh Ali contributed nine points on 3-of-4 shooting, but Syria's supporting cast managed just 22 combined points on 26.9% shooting from the field.

Defensive stranglehold seals it

Australia's defensive intensity produced 18 steals and forced 27 Syrian turnovers, converting the extra possessions into a runaway margin. Syria was held to 39.3% from the field and 34.6% from three, unable to counter the Boomers' size, spacing and transition game.

By the Numbers

Elijah Pepper (AUS): 32 pts │ 2 reb │ 2 ast │ 1 stl │ 1 blk │ 8-of-12 3PT

Luke Travers (AUS): 14 pts │ 4 reb │ 3 ast │ 6-of-7 FG

Josh Bannan (AUS): 11 pts │ 8 reb │ 7-of-8 FT

Anthony Dell'Orso (AUS): 11 pts │ 4 reb │ 3 ast

Maxwell Mackinnon (AUS): 10 pts │ 2 ast

Dash Daniels (AUS): 9 pts │ 7 reb │ 4 ast

Sam Froling (AUS): 8 pts │ 7 reb │ 4 ast │ 4-of-4 FG

Nick Kay (AUS): 8 pts │ 6 reb │ 3 ast

James Justice Jr (SYR): 21 pts │ 4 ast │ 5 TO

Christian James Maran (SYR): 12 pts │ 3 reb │ 3 stl