Klay Thompson Team USA
Alex Espinoza

Men's Basketball Washington State Athletics

Australia and the United States Each Victorious in Opening Game

Both teams return to the hardwood Monday.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Former Washington State men's basketball student-athletes, Aron Baynes (2006-09), Brock Motum (2010-13) and Klay Thompson (2009-11) each experienced Olympic success Saturday, as Australia and the United States won their respective Olympic openers in Group A. 

Australia shocked many with an 87-66 victory over world ranked No. 5 France. The U.S., a favorite to win the Gold, easily handled China with a 119-62 victory. Baynes and Motum are playing for Australia, while Thompson is playing for the U.S. 

A native of Cairns, Baynes got the start for the Boomers (Australia's national team), while Motum, from Brisbane, came into the game in the final minutes, notching a minute of action.  Baynes finished with 14 points and a team-high 8 rebounds in 24 minutes. 

A native of Ladera Ranch, Calif., Thompson got the start for the United States, finishing with 12 points, adding 2 rebounds and 2 steals in 19 minutes of action. 

Next up both Australia and the U.S. continue preliminary round play as Australia takes on Serbia, Monday, Aug. 8 at 10:15 a.m. PT and the U.S. takes on Venezuela that same day at 3 p.m. PT. The two teams face each other Wednesday, Aug. 10 at 3 p.m. PT. 

 
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