Australia claim gold in 3x3 Asia Cup
Led by Adam Forde, the trio of Alex Higgins-Titsha, Jonah Antonio and Stith returned to the 3x3 court in Singapore after claiming bronze at the inaugural Champions Cup, with Lachlan Barker subbing in for Josh Davey.
Bypassing the qualifying draw, the Gangurrus first saw action on the fourth day of competition to face Iran with Antonio’s touch from outside the arc pushing the side ahead.
Already locked into the quarter-finals with Iran failing to win any games in the pool stage, the Australian’s next foe was the third seed Japan, whose perimeter shooting saw them close out the game whilst Antonio struggled to find his touch.
Now facing Mongolia – a side that eliminated the Gangurrus in 2017 and 2023, the only times that they failed to win the tournament – the Australian’s held them to only seven points with the entire lineup sharing the scoring around, and the trio of Taipans pulling down at lead five boards each.
Reaching the game-ending 21-points in just under seven and a half minutes – the fifth fastest game of the tournament – the Gangurrus sealed their spot in the semi-finals, with their foes from across the Tasman Sea awaiting them, who entered the game undefeated.
In what was considered the game of the tournament between two of the powerhouse nations of the region, Stith delivered strongly, providing 13 points, eight rebounds and five highlight plays whilst the New Zealanders struggled to contain him.
Pushing his side ahead 20-19 with an easy dunk, the Taipan capitalised off a Higgins-Titsha steal to hand the Australians the win and confirm their spot in the Gold Medal match for the sixth straight tournament.
Facing the second seed in China, the Gangurrus grab hold of the contest early – not relinquishing the lead until over halfway through the game.
Whilst Stith continued to deliver on the glass, it was now Higgins-Titsha’s time to shine, as he provided over half of his side’s scoring at 90% from inside the arc with the Taipan keeping his side in the contest.
Once more seeing the matchup approach the game-ending 21-point mark, the Gangurrus locked down defensively to hold China to two points across the dieing minutes, with Antonio and Stith sealing the gold medal for Australia at the free throw line.
The lineup joined the women's side at the prize ceremony with both Gangurru squads winning gold. In their side of the tournament, the women clinched their third straight victory after going undefeated and reaching 21 points in every game whilst holding their opponents to an average of 11 points.
Ending the tournament with 20 highlight plays (key assists, drives, dunks, blocks and buzzer beaters) and ranked second for rebounding, Dillon Stith was awarded Tournament MVP honours alongside being named in the Team of the Tournament.
Leading the rebound count across the competition whilst also ending with a 71% efficiency from inside the arc, Alex Higgins-Titsha trailed his teammate with 18 highlight plays across the two days of competition.
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