The Australian men’s basketball team has been defeated by Serbia 86-81 in overtime at the Diego Gianatti International Basketball Tournament in Italy.

South Australia’s Brad Newley and Victoria’s David Andersen each scored 14 points to lead the Boomers while Perth Wildcat Damien Ryan added 13.

Zoran Erceg top scored for Serbia with 18 points while NBA player Darco Milicic added 14.

Australia finished fourth in the six nation tournament behind Italy, Croatia and Serbia and will now enjoy a rest day before taking on Senegal in a one off international friendly.

“We played better tonight and that was important after the kicking we got last night,” Boomers head coach Brian Goorjian said.

“Serbia is a very strong team and our starting group had their number.

“We controlled the game for most of the first half but when we went to the bench we sacrificed some fluidity in the system.

“Our bench players are not entirely comfortable right now but that’s why we’re here playing at this tournament. We’re coaching with New Zealand in mind.”

The Boomers are gearing up for the 2007 FIBA Oceania Men’s Championship against New Zealand, to be played on August 20, 22 and 24 in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

Australia’s rock solid defence troubled Serbia in the opening stages and by quarter time the Boomers had established a ten point advantage, 22-12.

With Andersen and Newley taking charge for the Boomers, the lead grew to 14 points in the second quarter before Serbia ground down the Australian bench players to narrow the gap to just three at half time, 44-41.

Goorjian continued to test a number of different combinations in the third period and the Boomers responded by halting the Serbian surge to draw the quarter and maintain their three point lead with one quarter remaining, 61-58.

With five seconds to play in regulation the score was tied at 73-all and Australia had a good look at a shot which hit every side of the rim but rattled out to push the game to overtime.

Serbia began the extra period with a 3-pointer, followed by a defensive stop and a successful field goal, forcing Australia to play catch up from then on.

The Boomers fought valiantly to post eight points in overtime, but went down in the end by five points.

Despite this being the Boomers’ third loss on the trot, head coach Brian Goorjian was pleased with the way his team bounced back from yesterday’s 32-point loss to Italy, and with the emergence of Brad Newley.

“Newley was a huge plus for us tonight. He played 30 minutes and he made good plays and crucial baskets when we needed it.

“Even though we lost, the team is moving forward.”

Basketball Australia