Boomers dominate Iran on path to Asia Cup Final

Boon Cairns Taipans signing Jack McVeigh again top-scored for the Australian Boomers as they dominated Iran 92-48 in the semi finals at the FIBA Asia Cup to set up a final with China.

The Boomers have won the past two Asia Cups and are yet to lose when competing in the tournament. That has continued throughout the 2025 edition in Saudi Arabia with group phase wins over Korea, Lebanon and Qatar.

Australian then beat the Philippines by 24 points in the quarter finals to set up the clash on Saturday night local time against Iran.

Iran did open the game with a three-pointer to Sina Vahedi and did throw the challenge down to Australia before the Boomers started to work on top with the 27-20 lead by quarter-time.

It was then a dominant second quarter from Australia with 24 points to nine to see the Boomers leading 51-29 by half-time. Davo Hickey already had 11 points and five assists while as a team they were shooting at a scorching 63 per cent.

Australia then dominated further with 29 points to eight in the third quarter on the way to leading by as much as 44 points which was the margin at the finish as they set up a battle in the final with China starting at 2am Monday morning AEST.

The Boomers finished the game shooting 57 per cent from the field and going 22/29 from the foul line with Iran going at just 27 per cent and only 6/8 at the free-throw line.

Australia also scored 19 points from Iran's 13 turnovers along with having 13 fast break points to four and scoring a monstrous 52 points in the paint to just 20.

Jack McVeigh once again top-scored for the Boomers with 17 points to go with three rebounds and 3/7 three-point shooting while big man Harry Wessels delivered 16 points and four boards.

Davo Hickey ended up with 14 points, six rebounds and six assists, Jack White 11 points and three boards, Owen Foxwell seven points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals, and Will Magnay six points and five boards.

Sina Vahedi top-scored for Iran with 11 points while Mobin Sheikhi added eight to go with four rebounds and three assists.

Earlier on Saturday night to open the semi finals, it was China defeating New Zealand 98-84 to advance to the final that will now be against the Boomers.

The Tall Blacks will take on Iran earlier on Sunday night to determine third place after Taylor Britt top-scored with 21 points and six assists ahead of his return to the New Zealand Breakers in NBL26.

Mojave King also had 19 points and three steals with 4/8 three-point shooting while Flynn Cameron contributed 11 points, five rebounds and three assists ahead of joining the Adelaide 36ers in NBL26.

Australia now takes on China in the Final on Monday morning at 2am AEST, live on ESPN, Kayo and Disney+.

FIBA ASIA CUP SAUDI ARABIA 2025 SEMI FINALS

AUSTRALIAN BOOMERS 92 (McVeigh 17, Wessels 16, Hickey 14)

IRAN 48 (Vahedi 11, Sheikhi 8, Monji 6, Aghajanpour 6)

BOX SCORE

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