THE Boomers have equalled their best Olympic group stage campaign, warming up for the quarter-finals with a 25-point win over Venezuela in Rio.

Without being totally convincing, Australia did enough to stay in control during an at-times tense 81-56 win against the world’s 22nd-ranked side.

NBA star Patty Mills was rested as the Boomers welcomed back Andrew Bogut from a well-earned break and the champion centre was again huge for Australia with 10 points and six rebounds.

NBL star Chris Goulding (22 points) enjoyed his breakout game for the national team game and Joe Ingles and Aron Baynes (eight points, seven rebounds) also impressed, but there was a sour note with Cameron Bairstow suffering a painful shoulder injury.

Bairstow will be sent for x-rays amid fears his tournament could be over.

Sunday’s win was the Boomers’ fourth from five group games, with the only loss coming against Team USA in their best group stage performance since 1996.

But Bogut stressed the quest for a first ever medal begins now.

Venezuela's Miguel Marriaga is fouled by Australia’s Andrew Bogut. Source: AP

“The first two games (wins over France and Serbia) were very important for us but we’re not going to celebrate right now, we haven’t done anything,” Bogut said.

“The quarter finals is where you make your money and where the real business is, you have one bad game and you’re flying home so we know how vital this game is coming up.

“We’ve done what we set out to do and what we’re supposed to do, This isn’t really surprising for us, what we’ve done in the pool rounds, so with that comes is a responsibility of doing the right thing and getting through the quarter-finals.”

A second place finish in the group ensures they can’t meet the tournament favourites again until the medal round.

Australia’s quarter-final opponent won’t be determined until Tuesday AEST. They’ll face the third-placed team in Group B, which could still be any of six teams including heavyweights Spain and hosts Brazil.

Under the Olympic tournament points system that awards a point to losing teams, Australia were already guaranteed second spot in the group before facing Venezuela.

However that Andrej Lemanis fielded the bulk of his strongest starting side showed an intent carry momentum into the knockout stage.

Bogut returned after being rested against China but fellow NBA star Mills was given a night off, with Ryan Broekhoff starting in his place.

Jhon Cox of Venezuela and Joe Ingles of Australia compete for a loose ball in Rio. Source: Getty Images

The Boomers were in total control early. Matthew Dellavedova, who played less than nine minute, got things going as Australia scored the first seven points unanswered.

The Boomers’ relentless defensive pressure and early nerves from Venezuela kept them to just three from 18 shooting in the first quarter.

The South American side was much-improved in the second quarter, however, at one point scoring eight unanswered points to cut the margin to just four points.

Bogut was a dominant force at both ends of the court for Australia and Goulding was among the tidiest in offence with 10 first half points as the Boomers led 32-25 at the main break.

Venezuela, hogging the support at a half-full but noisy Carioca Arena, fought hard to keep the game in the second half, with Anthony Perez among their best.

However the Boomers pulled away late, Goulding finishing with a flurry in a fine performance that featured four three-pointers.

“They got into us a little ... and made a good game of it but I thought we responded well after halftime,” Lemanis said.

“To keep them to that score, our defence is doing a good job for us again and there were a lot of positives to come out of that performance.

“For us there’s a higher goal and it’s about ensuring that we continue to play well and keep building on the things we need to build on.

“We’ve believed in ourselves from the start and now it comes down to win or go home. This is a fun time of the tournament.”

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