Strong Group Athletics maintain dominance, rout Australia’s BSBL Guardians in Jones Cup

Strong Group Athletics continued their impressive run in the 2024 William Jones Cup Men’s Basketball Tournament, securing a convincing 91-69 victory over Australia’s BSBL Guardians on Sunday, July 14th. This win marks their second consecutive blowout victory in the tournament.

Chris McCullough emerged as the leading scorer for Strong Group, dropping a game-high 23 points and grabbing 7 rebounds. He follows up on his strong performance in the previous game where he led them to a 104-79 win against the United Arab Emirates.

Angelo Kouame provided valuable support with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, showcasing his dominance in the paint. Tajuan Agee chipped in with a well-rounded performance of 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals.

The supporting cast also played a significant role. Dave Ildefonso contributed 7 points, all scored in the first half. RJ Abarrientos added 6 points and 3 assists, while Caelan Tiongson anchored the defense with 11 rebounds alongside his 4 points.

Australia’s offensive efforts were spearheaded by Jesse Ghee, who finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds. However, Strong Group’s overall team performance proved too much to overcome.

From the get-go, Strong Group established control, building a significant lead early on. They ended the first quarter with a commanding 34-10 advantage and maintained their lead throughout the game. Despite a run from the Guardians in the third quarter, Strong Group held firm, extending their lead to 72-51 by the end of the period. The final quarter saw them maintain their composure and secure a convincing victory.

A key factor in their success was their efficient shooting. Strong Group converted 53.2% of their two-point attempts (25/47) compared to BSBL’s 39.5% (17/43). They also displayed a slight edge in three-point shooting, connecting on 11 attempts out of 35 (31.4%) compared to the Guardians’ 8 successful three-pointers out of 28 attempts (28.6%).

Strong Group’s teamwork was also evident in their superior assist numbers (23 to 11) and steals (14 to 5). They also committed fewer turnovers (11) compared to Australia’s 18.

With this win, Strong Group solidifies their position as a top contender in the tournament. They will look to continue their winning streak as they face Ukraine on July 15th in their next game. Can they maintain their dominance and make a strong push for the championship? Fans can expect another exciting matchup as the William Jones Cup continues to unfold.