Photo by: AAP
MBB | Gael Alumni Help Boomers in Historic Win
8/24/2019 11:26:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Three former Gaels propelled Australia to a 98-94 win against the USA last night in Melbourne.
MORAGA, Calif. — Friday night marked a special occasion for the Saint Mary's men's basketball program as the Australian Boomers defeated Team USA in Melbourne, 98-94, in front of a crowd of over 50,000 fans. It was the first time that Australia had ever beaten the US in a competitive match in 55 years of play and the first time the United States had lost a game in over 13 years.
Three former Gaels were in the starting lineup for the Boomers on Friday: Patty Mills (2007-09), Matthew Dellavedova (2009-13), and Jock Landale (2014-18). Mills recorded a game-high 30 points, including a clutch 13 points in the final quarter as both teams jockeyed for the lead late.
Landale chipped in eight points and grabbed seven boards in just over 17 minutes of action while Dellavedova, Saint Mary's second all-time leader in assists, dished out five dimes.
Saint Mary's basketball and Australia have a deep connection that began with Randy Bennett's hiring as head coach. Bennett recruited Adam Caporn, who is now an assistant coach for the Boomers, to play for SMC back in 2001 and ever since then, the program has had an Aussie on it's roster each year.
A total of 19 Aussies have matriculated through Bennett's program including some of the schools' all-time greats: Daniel Kickert, Emmett Naar, and the three aforementioned players to name just a few. Two more players from Down Under are set to join the team in 2019: Alex Ducas and Kyle Bowen.
The Gaels' Australian presence is felt not just on the men's team but with the women's program as well. Head coach Paul Thomas has had multiple Aussies on his roster in recent years and both teams celebrate Australia Day at a home game in January each season.
The Boomers will begin play at the World Cup in China starting on August 31. More information about the tournament can be found by clicking here.
Three former Gaels were in the starting lineup for the Boomers on Friday: Patty Mills (2007-09), Matthew Dellavedova (2009-13), and Jock Landale (2014-18). Mills recorded a game-high 30 points, including a clutch 13 points in the final quarter as both teams jockeyed for the lead late.
Landale chipped in eight points and grabbed seven boards in just over 17 minutes of action while Dellavedova, Saint Mary's second all-time leader in assists, dished out five dimes.
Saint Mary's basketball and Australia have a deep connection that began with Randy Bennett's hiring as head coach. Bennett recruited Adam Caporn, who is now an assistant coach for the Boomers, to play for SMC back in 2001 and ever since then, the program has had an Aussie on it's roster each year.
A total of 19 Aussies have matriculated through Bennett's program including some of the schools' all-time greats: Daniel Kickert, Emmett Naar, and the three aforementioned players to name just a few. Two more players from Down Under are set to join the team in 2019: Alex Ducas and Kyle Bowen.
The Gaels' Australian presence is felt not just on the men's team but with the women's program as well. Head coach Paul Thomas has had multiple Aussies on his roster in recent years and both teams celebrate Australia Day at a home game in January each season.
The Boomers will begin play at the World Cup in China starting on August 31. More information about the tournament can be found by clicking here.
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