Cooks leads Boomers to Asia Cup triumph

Xavier Cooks saved his best for last but the Australian Boomers were pushed to the brink by China before winning 90-89 to clinch a third consecutive FIBA Asia Cup triumph.

The Boomers were playing catch up against China for a lot of the night including being 15 points down in the first half, but with Cooks showing the way on his way to 30 points and nine rebounds, Australia fought back and then held on in a dramatic finish.

Australia remain undefeated now in three straight Asia Cup tournaments but it was a terrific fight put up by an emerging Chinese team before the one-point win for the Boomers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Having won the last two Asia Cups, the Boomers had dominated their way to the final beating Korea, Lebanon, Qatar, Philippines and Iran by an average of 29 points.

China had been just as impressive winning their five games by an average of 16 points setting up the final. It turned into quite the tight, tense and exciting match up to decide the Asia Cup for 2025.

China closed the first quarter with a 12-3 run to be leading 25-17 by quarter-time with that lead growing to as much as 15 points in the second term with things threatening to get out of hand for the Boomers.

Australia responded with 12 straight points topped off with a three ball to Jaylin Galloway to close the gap to one before China were still leading 46-42 by half-time.

The major difference was China going 12/16 at the foul line to 4/11 from the Boomers with Xavier Cooks instrumental in keeping Australia in the game with 15 points.

China again got out to a six-point lead early in the second half before a 9-0 Australian run including another triple from Galloway who also threw down a dunk in transition saw the Boomers grab the lead.

However, by three quarter-time China were again leading by three and the stage was set for a big finish.

It was basket for basket with the lead continuing to change hands through the fourth quarter with two more three-point bombs from Galloway having the Boomers leading by two with four minutes to play.

China were back in front two minutes later with a triple from Mingxuan Hu before Davo Hickey returned Australia to the lead, and one free-throw from Will Magnay with 24.6 seconds left had the Boomers up two.

There was still drama to come with Cooks fouled but then also called for an unsportsmanlike at the same time with 3.9 seconds on the clock.

Cooks made one at the line before Rui Zhao hit two for China making it a one-point game with the Chinese having possession with a chance at the winner.

Mingxuan Hu did get off a good look at the three, but it was no good and Australia held on for the one-point win for the third straight Asia Cup triumph.

Along with the 30 points and nine rebounds on 13/17 shooting for Cooks despite his 4/11 free-throw struggles, Jaylin Galloway was once again outstanding with 23 points and five rebounds.

Galloway knocked down another 6/10 from downtown before being named to the All-Star Five of the Asia Cup and was named MVP.

Jack McVeigh was also part of the All-Star Five and had another 11 points and two assists with Davo Hickey contributing 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists, Owen Foxwell five points and two assists, and Will Magnay four points, five boards, four assists, three steals and three blocks.

Mingxuan Hu finished with 26 points with 5/7 three-point shooting for China with Jingiu Hu scoring 20 points to go with 10 rebounds.

Earlier on Sunday night in Saudi Arabia, Iran defeated New Zealand 79-73 in the third place game.

Flynn Cameron finished with 18 points for the Tall Blacks ahead of his first NBL season at the Adelaide 36ers with Mojave King adding 13 points and four rebounds, and Carlin Davison nine points, nine boards and two assists.

‍FIBA ASIA CUP SAUDI ARABIA 2025 FINAL

AUSTRALIAN BOOMERS 90 (Cooks 30, Galloway 23, Hickey 15)

CHINA 89 (Mingxuan Hu 26, Jingiu Hu 20, Shuaipeng Cheng 12)

BOX SCORE

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