Nick Kay had a double-double in Australia's double-overtime loss to Spain at the World Cup semi-finals in Beijing.
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The Tamworth export scored 16 points - the second highest for the Boomers after Patty Mills (34) - and had a team high 11 rebounds, including seven offensive rebounds, in the heartbreaking 95-88 loss on Friday night.
Kay - a 206-centimetre forward who won the NBL championship with the Perth Wildcats last season - has been one of the Boomers' best players this tournament.
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The Boomers led by 11 points going into the final quarter. But like they did in beating Australia in the bronze medal game at the Rio Olympic, Spain rallied to deny the Aussies a spot in the gold medal game.
In the 10 minutes of extra basketball required to separate the two nations, Toronto Raptors star Marc Gasol proved the difference between the two sides. The NBA championship centre had 33 points, 29 of which came in the second half.
On Sunday night, Australia will play the loser of Saturday night's semi-final between Argentina and France. If Australia wins, it will be their first medal at a major international tournament.
Mills - the San Antonio Spur who has starred for Australia at the World Cup - had a chance to win the Boomers the match against Spain when he was fouled with four seconds left in the final quarter and with the Aussies trailing by a point. He sunk the first shot but the second one rimmed out: overtime required.
The first overtime was tight. Then a Matthew Dellavedova foul on Gasol, with four seconds left, sent the Spanish star to the free-throw line. He made both shots: second overtime required.
From there, Spain dominated as Gasol and Sergio Llull (17 points) inflicted most of the damage.
