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Arvydas Sabonis Articles.
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Boomers miss out.

by Wayne Heming | The Associated Pressl | 4th August 1996

A MOUNTAIN named Sabonis stood between Australia and its first Olympic basketball medal tonight as Lithuania edged out the Boomers 80-74 in the bronze medal play-off at the Georgia Dome. Ayvydas Sabonis, who Andrew Gaze calls "the big fella", destroyed Australia's hopes of taking home a medal with a 30 point haul tonight. The 220cm, 135kg Sabonis was the difference between the two teams. Lithuania led 36-34 in the first half. Sabonis, who played for Portland in the NBA, showed what a sensational player he is tonight, dominating the game offensively and defensively. He scored a couple of big three pointers at various stages of a tight contest and he pushed Mark Bradtke and John Dorge around as if they were guards, not heavyweight centres. Gaze continued his great form, hitting 25 points, but both he and Shane Heal were closely guarded in the closing few minutes when Lithuania got out to a 67-59 lead. A Scott Fisher jump shot closed the gap to 76-74 inside the last 20 seconds, before guard Saruna Marciulinois connected with some pressure shots from the line to close Australia out. Australia equalled its best Olympic finish with four place, but was shattered after going so close to a medal.