Former Perth Wildcat Nic Kay helped the Boomers prevail in an aerial battle against Italy.
Patty Mills scored an important basket with less than 30 seconds remaining before Matisse Thybulle added a free throw to take the lead by five points.
Italy hit back with two points before fouling the Boomers in 8.8 seconds.
Mills sank his two shots and restored Australia’s buffer, before Italy scored again – this time with just 4.3 seconds left.
An impressive Kay finished with 15 points and 17 rebounds and shot to 86 percent, while Jock Landale was also big with 18 points and seven rebounds.
Thybulle, in his first tournament with the Boomers, was massive in the first half, helping Australia outperform Italy by just one point at halftime at 44:45.
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