Isaiah's 20 points helps Crocs fight off Lebanon

Australia defeated Lebanon 73-61 at the Buyant Ukhaa Sport Complex, Mongolia to remain undefeated after three games at the FIBA Under-16 Asia Cup.

Key Details

• Result: Australia 73 def. Lebanon 61
• When: September 2, 2025
• Where: Buyant Ukhaa Sport Complex, Mongolia

By the Numbers

• Isaiah Jorgenson (Australia) starred with 20 points, six rebounds, and two assists in 25 minutes.
• Johnny Sawma (Lebanon) scored 22 points, had five rebounds, and two assists in 32 minutes.

What Happened

Australia took control early, establishing their dominance with strong interior play and efficient shooting. Their 40 per cent field goal percentage (31-from-76) proved vital in maintaining a comfortable lead throughout the contest, with the Crocs leading at each quarter break.

Tom Dammers provided crucial support with 16 points on exceptional shooting, going 6-from-8 from the field including a perfect 4-from-4 from beyond the arc. His timely three-pointers helped Australia extend their advantage whenever Lebanon threatened to close the gap.

Lebanon struggled offensively, shooting just 33 per cent from the field (21-from-62). Despite Johnny Sawma's impressive 22-point effort on 8-from-16 shooting, including 3-from-5 from three-point range, Lebanon couldn't generate enough consistent offense to challenge Australia's lead.

The Boomers' rebounding advantage proved decisive, as they outrebounded Lebanon 54-41. Australia's frontcourt, led by Luke Paul and William Hamilton with seven and six rebounds respectively, dominated the glass, creating additional scoring opportunities through 21 offensive rebounds.

Australia's defensive pressure forced Lebanon into difficult shots throughout the game. While both teams committed 15 turnovers, Australia's eight steals compared to Lebanon's nine reflected the tight defensive nature of the contest. The Crocs converted these opportunities into points, maintaining their double-digit lead through most of the second half.

Charbel El Herera contributed 14 points for Lebanon but needed 17 shots to get there, shooting just 35 per cent from the field. Lebanon's inefficiency was further highlighted by Mauricio Abboud's struggles, who managed just eight points on 2-from-12 shooting despite playing 35 minutes.

The victory positions Australia well in Group A of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, demonstrating their depth and defensive strength against a competitive Lebanon squad. With solid contributions across the roster and a balanced attack featuring six players scoring six or more points, Australia showed why they remain one of the region's basketball powerhouses.

Australia's opponent for Friday's quarter-final is not yet known.