Cooks Leads Boomers to Thrilling Asia Cup Victory Over China
What a night it was in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia! The Australian Boomers have done it again, claiming their third consecutive FIBA Asia Cup title after a nail-biting 90-89 win over China. And let me tell you, this wasn’t an easy ride. The Boomers were pushed to the absolute limit by a rising Chinese team, and the match had fans on the edge of their seats until the very last second.
Australia found themselves playing catch-up for much of the game. At one point in the first half, they were trailing by 15 points, and things looked like they could slip away. But Xavier Cooks refused to let that happen. He delivered a masterclass performance, scoring 30 points and grabbing nine rebounds, and really carried the Boomers when it mattered most. His effort was complemented by Jaylin Galloway, who poured in 23 points, including some crucial three-pointers, and earned himself a well-deserved spot in the All-Star Five as MVP.
The game was a constant back-and-forth battle. China ended the first quarter with a strong 12-3 run, and the lead stretched to 15 points early on. Australia responded with a 12-point streak, highlighted by a three-pointer from Galloway, closing the gap to just one. By halftime, China still held a slender 46-42 lead, thanks in part to their impressive free-throw shooting.
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The intensity didn’t let up in the second half. China built a six-point advantage early on, but the Boomers rallied again, with Galloway contributing a dunk and another triple, turning the momentum in Australia’s favor. Yet, by the end of the third quarter, China had reclaimed a three-point lead, setting the stage for a dramatic fourth quarter. Basket for basket, the lead changed hands multiple times, with key contributions from Davo Hickey and Will Magnay keeping Australia just ahead.
In the final moments, it came down to a heart-stopping finish. Cooks was fouled and even called for an unsportsmanlike penalty with only 3.9 seconds left. He made one free throw, and then Rui Zhao’s two points for China left the score just one point apart. China had a chance to snatch victory with a final three-point attempt, but it missed, sealing the Boomers’ victory.
Beyond Cooks and Galloway, contributions came from Hickey with 15 points, Magnay with crucial rebounds and blocks, and Jack McVeigh’s steady performance. On the Chinese side, Mingxuan Hu led with 26 points, while Jingiu Hu added 20 and 10 rebounds.
With this win, Australia continues their undefeated streak in Asia Cup history, proving once again that they are a dominant force in Asian basketball. The Boomers’ resilience, teamwork, and star power have been on full display, and after such a tense, electrifying final, this third straight triumph feels well-earned.
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