Luike Zeller's 17 points in game 1 versus  Perth marked a tour-best thus far for the Irish forward.

Luke Zeller Scores 14 Points And Grabs Four Rebounds As Athletes In Action Drops Opener

Aug. 11, 2007

West Sydney, Australia – Notre Dame forward Luke Zeller (Washington, Ind.) scored 14 points and grabbed four rebounds for Athletes In Action as AIA dropped a 128-93 decision to the West Sydney Razorbacks of the NBL in the first of eight exhibition contest on their Australian tour. The Hills Basketball Association hosted the exhibition contest at HBS Gym.

The game started as a defensive struggle as the Razorbacks managed to shoot only 30 percent from the floor in the first 12 minutes, but held a 22-19 lead. However, the second period saw both teams shoot over 50 percent and score a combined 69 points. The Razorbacks capitalized on eight second-quarter turnovers (13 in the half) and a rebounding margin of 14 to open up a 62-48 half-time lead.

Big men Ray Schafer of Oregon and Zeller lead the way with 10 and eight first half points, respectively. Shafer and guard Jason Holsinger of Evansville each collected 5 boards in the first half.

Controlling the ball and rebounding better, AIA made a run in the third period to bring the game to within five points, prompting a West Sydney time-out. However, seven more turnovers in the period re-opened the gap as the Razorbacks lead by 16 after three periods.

West Sydney’s desire to run the floor took over the final period as their attempted field goals total crossed the century mark. West Sydney managed 40 points off 29 AIA turnovers and 20 second chance points on 24 offensive rebounds.

Jimmy Graham of Miami (Fla.) took three charges in the contest for AIA. Josh Carter of Texas A&M lead AIA with 18 points and four assists. Brian Stamer of Colorado Christian and Shafer both finished with 6 rebounds. AIA alum Troy DeVries from New Mexico added 18 points on 7 of 15 shooting for the Razorbacks.

AIA returns to action Sun., Aug. 12 at 2:00 p.m. against the Sydney Kings at Alexandria Stadium.

AIA Statistical Summary:

Josh Carter, Texas A&M 18 pts., 4 ast., 33 min

Ray Shafer, Oregon 16 pts., 6 rebs., 28 min

Luke Zeller, Notre Dame 14 pts., 4 rebs., 27 min

Jason Holsinger, Evansville 13 pts., 5 rebs., 37 min

Wes Johnson, Iowa State 10 pts., 5 rebs., 27 min

Jimmy Graham, Miami 10 pts., 4 rebs., 16 min

Brian Stamer, Colorado Christian 5 pts., 5 rebs, 23 min