Hot shooting Boomers blow away Guam

The Australian Boomers hit 24 three-pointers with Tyrese Proctor, Angus Glover, Bryce Cotton, Jack McVeigh and Reyne Smith combining for 22 in the massive 124-52 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifier win over Guam.

The Boomers played host to Guam at RAC Arena to begin Adam Caporn's era in charge as coach and they were in no mood to mess around with the team featuring six-time NBL MVP Cotton for the first time along with Cleveland Cavaliers NBA guard Proctor.

Throw in Taran Armstrong and Keanu Pinder ahead of their NBL returns at the Tasmania JackJumpers and Cairns Taipans respectively, and NBL stars Glover, Smith and McVeigh, and there was plenty to be excited about in Perth for the match up.

There was interest in the Guam line-up too including with former Perth Wildcat Earnest Ross who has been playing in the NBL1 North at the Sunshine Coast Phoenix, but the Boomers would prove far too strong.

There was a clear focus on shooting from beyond the arc too and by quarter-time they were already leading 32-16 before then putting up 33 points to 10 in the second period to take complete control.

The Boomers were leading 65-26 with 13/31 three-point shooting including Glover going 4/10 for 14 points and McVeigh 3/5 for nine points with Ross doing what he could for Guam with 11 of their 26.

It was another 28 points to 18 in the third quarter from Australia with Proctor scoring 12 of those with the lead out to 49 by three quarter-time, and then another 31 to eight in the final period saw the end margin balloon to 72.

By the end of the night, the Boomers went 24/51 from three-point territory at 47 per cent and only even attempted 36 shots inside the arc while also pulling down 24 offensive rebounds and forcing Guam into 27 turnovers.

Proctor finished with 6/11 from deep for 22 points and three assists with Glover hitting 5/11 for 19 points and four assists, McVeigh 4/8 for 14 points, five rebounds and four assists, and Smith 3/3 for nine points.

Cotton played his first game for Australia and had 4/9 three-point shooting for 18 points and five assists.

Mitch Creek also chimed in with 11 points and five rebounds, Pinder 10 points and 11 boards, Alex Condon seven points and four rebounds, Josh Bannan four points, four bords and two steals, and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk four points and three assists back in his hometown.

Ross top scored for Guam with 22 points while BJ Freeman added 18 despite the six turnovers.

The Boomers remain in Perth over the weekend ahead of taking on the Philippines also at RAC Arena on Monday night with tip-off set for 8:30pm AEST (6:30pm local) and will be live on ESPN.

The Philippines will come to Perth fresh off a remarkable double overtime game against New Zealand at Auckland's Spark Arena with the Tall Blacks eventually winning 106-102.

Reuben Te Rangi finished with 22 points and four rebounds for the Tall Blacks, Shea Ili 21 points and six assists, Sam Waardenburg 16 points and 10 boards, Sam Mennenga 13 points and six rebounds, and Tai Webster 12 points and three assists.

Kevin Quiambao and Juan Gomez De Liano both had 23 points for the Philippines.

Australia 124 – Guam 52

Stat leaders

Tyrese Proctor - 22 PTS, 3 AST, 6/11 3PT
Angus Glover -19 PTS, 4 AST, 5/11 3PT
Bryce Cotton -18 PTS, 5 AST, 4/9 3PT
Jack McVeigh -14 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 4/8 3PT
Keanu Pinder -10 PTS, 11 REB, 3AST