Jumpin' Jai sparks Crocs comeback over NZ

Australia secured a hard-fought 93-87 win against New Zealand at Tuanaimato Gym 2 in Samoa, with Jai Fa'ale's explosive 29-point performance leading the charge.

Key Details

• Result: Australia 93 def. New Zealand 87
• When: Seeding Games
• Where: Tuanaimato Gym 2, Samoa
• Standings: Australia | New Zealand

By the Numbers

• Jai Fa'ale (Australia) starred with 29 points, four rebounds, and one assist in 31 minutes.
• Luke Paul (Australia) contributed 18 points, six rebounds, and 15 assists in 37 minutes.

What Happened

Australia's balanced offensive attack proved the difference in this seeding contest, with multiple players stepping up in crucial moments. The six-point margin reflected a competitive encounter between the trans-Tasman rivals, with both teams trading baskets throughout the contest.

Jai Fa'ale was simply outstanding from the field, shooting an efficient 7-from-15 overall while connecting on five triples from 11 attempts. His ability to score from deep was instrumental in keeping Australia ahead when New Zealand mounted their challenges.

The forward also showed composure from the charity stripe, converting 10-from-17 free throws in a game where every point mattered.

Luke Paul orchestrated Australia's offense masterfully, dishing out 15 assists while contributing 18 points of his own. His court vision and playmaking ability were on full display, creating numerous scoring opportunities for teammates.

Paul's leadership on the court was evident as he managed to balance his scoring and facilitating duties effectively.

Australia's shooting efficiency proved decisive, with the team converting 29-from-62 field goal attempts for 46.8%. Their three-point shooting was solid at 35% (7-from-20), while they excelled from two-point range at 52.4% (22-from-42).

Most impressively, Australia dominated from the free-throw line, converting 28-from-44 attempts at 63.6%, which proved crucial in the tight finish.

William Hamilton provided valuable support with 14 points on outstanding 5-from-8 shooting (62.5%) from the field, while Harry Cook added nine points and six rebounds. Austin Prosser was on fire during his limited minutes, shooting a perfect 4-from-4 from the field for nine points, including 1-from-1 from downtown.

The victory demonstrates Australia's depth and resilience in international competition. With 19 assists as a team, their ball movement and unselfish play created numerous scoring opportunities.

Despite committing 18 turnovers, Australia's superior shooting and free-throw execution enabled them to secure the win in what proved to be a closely contested seeding game.

Australia will take on Guam in the semi-final at 3.30pm (AEDT) Friday.