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The much anticipated matchup between Australia and the United States lived up to the billing, and it was Australia who came out on top winning 93-84. This puts Australia back on equal footing with Team USA in Pool C as both are now 2-1, and only Canada remains undefeated at 3-0 with a game to be played.
For Mountain West purposed, this was to be a matchup between New Mexico Lobos big men Alex Kirk and Cameron Bairstow, but that matchup never materialized, because Kirk did not see the floor. Bairstow had a big game against Team USA by scoring team-high 22 points on 11 of 18 shooting, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out five assists.
Australia ended up getting the win by going on a 34-20 run in the fourth quarter to secure the win. With Australia winning they are back in play to be one of the top two teams in pool play meaning they will move onto the medal rounds.
Right now, Canada is first at 3-0, soon to be a likely 4-0, and if they win against the Czech Republic they will be guaranteed at worst a tie in the top two. Then Canada plays Team USA and that game can clinch a spot for Canada, but an American win will make Canada and the United State's tied at 4-1. Australia will likely end up being 4-1 as well since they play the currently winless United Arab Emirates.
If there is a three-way tie at the top the next tiebreaker is scoring differential, and for Australia to keep pace they will need to beat the UAE by almost 100 points, which is what Canada and the USA have already done.
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