RIO DE JANEIRO (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - Australia won a classic Olympic encounter against Serbia, 95-80, on Monday to go top of Group A.

In a real battle that was closer than the final score suggests, the teams slugged it out with Serbia going in front by seven early in the second half. The Boomers kept their poise, "hung together" in the words of coach Andrej Lemanis, and rediscovered their rhythm.

Needing just a little over a minute, they knotted the game at 52-52. Australia didn't take the lead for good until early in the fourth quarter. Patty Mills drove past a couple of defenders, entered the lane and scored with a lay-up for a 68-67 advantage.

Lemanis's team outscored Serbia, 27-13, the rest of the way.

Turning Point: After a basket by the brilliant Miroslav Raduljica (25 points) cut Australia's lead to 75-71, Mills dribbled right into the lane and scored a lay-up, drawing a foul by Nemanja Nedovic. Mills sank the free-throw and the Boomers then stepped on the accelerator.

Stats Don't Lie: 13 of Australia's 23 assists were handed out by Matthew Dellavedova. Sublime performance from the recently crowned NBA champ, who also had 23 points.

Hero: Australia had several candidates but Dellavedova's performance against Serbia's outstanding guards probably made him the Boomers' most important player.

The Bottom Line: With the win, Australia became the first team to improve to 2-0, while the loss saw Serbia drop to 1-1. On Wednesday, the Boomers will go up against the USA, while the Serbs face bitter rivals France in an all-European clash.

FIBA