RIO DE JANEIRO (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - Chris Goulding didn't travel to Rio to become Australia's leading scorer at the Olympics but for at least one game, he was.

In the Boomers' last Group A game against Venezuela on Sunday, Goulding hit four three-pointers and poured in 22 points in an 81-56 victory. Goulding got a chance to play more than 25 minutes with starting guard Patty Mills being given the night off.

FIBA.com: Playing a lot of minutes in an Olympic game and doing so well, that must be a pretty good feeling.
Goulding: It was good to get a few more minutes. Obviously, I know my role within the team and it's spot minutes to provide some help whenever we needed it and tonight, we needed it. So I'm happy I could fulfill my role a little bit. With Patty sitting out, getting some rest for the next stage, we knew that there would be minutes shared around for everyone and we moved the ball around well and everyone really contributed.

FIBA.com: Was it a benefit for Australia to play those tough games early on against France, Serbia and the USA?
Goulding: It was a good test for us to play those three really tough teams. That really cemented our belief. The belief is real in this group. Also to get a game where we could freshen up a couple of bodies. Delly (Matthew Dellavedova) didn't play in the second half. (Andrew) Bogut didn't play last game, so I think it was good to get that started early, to get the belief there that we are a good team, freshen up some guys heading into that Quarter-Final and hopefully we can move on.

FIBA.com: There doesn't seem to be a team that you would rather face in the next round.
Goulding: You're exactly right. That other side is really tough. I think all six of the teams can make the Quarter-Finals so it's hard for us to prepare right now. We just have to get our bodies right and work on the way we play the game and then we know our opponent, our technical guys and support staff will do a fantastic scout as they have throughout the tournament.

With Mills rested on Sunday night, Goulding made the most of his extended playing time

FIBA.com: What have the past few years been like in this program?
Goulding: The one really good thing about us is that while we haven't always had all the guys on the court, they've always been a part of the program. The four years since London, everyone's been committed. Even if they can't play, they're still there in support of the program. I was excited to make the Olympics in the first place and to be able to help in any way that I can. The coach has been great in defining my role so he gives me a little bit more of a free rein on offense. But at the same time, I've got to be smart and play within in the system.

FIBA.com: You played in Zaragoza for a year and have gone back to Australia. What's that been like?
Goulding: It's very different. The physicality and the size in Spain is what's different to Australia. Spain is a really tough league but good players come Down Under and struggle in the league. As a free agent, contracts pop up here and there.

FIBA.com: Playing in Australia, how does that league challenge you?
Goulding: I think it's challenging me to become a leader on my club team (Melbourne). You know what it's like in Spain, clubs that have got 12 deep teams and everyone's an international in their own right and have really, really good careers behind them whereas I just had to fit and and play my role, whatever was needed. In Australia, it's about becoming a leader, developing those qualities and hopefully take my team to a championship.

FIBA