Boomers bounce European powerhouse to make Australian Olympic history

A WIN against European powerhouse Serbia has seen the Boomers rewrite the Australian Olympic record books.

Serbia's Milan Macvan (25) drives past Australia's Cameron Bairstow, right, during a basketball game at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

THE Australian Boomers have already made history in Rio after beating another European powerhouse in Serbia 95-80 to record two wins to start an Olympic Games for the first time ever.

Australia entered their second pool match with extra confidence after a dominant win over France on Sunday but the Serbians proved a tougher challenge with Milos Teodosic and Miroslav Raduljica causing constant problems for the Boomers defence.

After an impressive start, Australia trailed by three points at halftime in a physical contest and then faced a one-point deficit heading into the last quarter. But with Matthew Dellavedova and Patty Mills leading the way on the offensive end, the Boomers bounced back to lead by four points with just minutes left.

Australia's forward Cameron Bairstow (R) defends against Serbia's guard Stefan Jovic during a Men's round Group A basketball match between Serbia and Australia at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 8, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. / AFP PHOTO / Andrej ISAKOVIC

Australia were able to overcome foul trouble to Dellavedova and Bogut in the final term to stay in front but it was not until swingman Joe Ingles, who struggled for most of the match, connected on two late

three-pointers that the Boomers could secure victory and win their second match to open the Games for the first time in history.

Mills top scored for the green and gold with 26 points, Dellavedova was Australia’s best with 23 points and 13 assists. Bogut was also impressive with nine points and 10 rebounds while Ingles and Aron Baynes both scored 10 points each.

The win all but seals a top two spot for the Boomers, who next face the USA on Thursday at 8am followed by matches against Venezuela and China.