Australia will play for a men's basketball bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
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The Boomers missed out on a gold medal play-off spot with a 97-78 loss to the United States in a semi-final on Thursday.
While the opportunity for gold has gone, Australia can still pick up a first men's basketball medal at an Olympic Games.
The Brian Goorjian-coached Boomers made a stunning start, leading by 15 points with five minutes to play in the first half.
However, the wheels fell off.
The US went on a 48-14 run that included 20-straight points to take the final away from Australia.
Australia's swarming defence was too much for the United States for most of the first half, with it missing its first nine three-point shots.
Kevin Durant (23 points, nine rebounds) had 15 first-half points to keep the US close though, before Australia blinked and the three-time defending champion pounced.
Patty Mills finished with 15 points, five rebounds and eight assists.
Former Ballarat Miners guard Nathan Sobey had 11 minutes on court, shooting five points to go with two rebounds and three assists.
The Boomers will have their bronze medal play-off on Saturday.
COMING UP - SUNDAY
BRETT ROBINSON (athletics): marathon, 8am
Robinson is originally from Canberra, but spent time using Ballarat as his training base.
