Australia kept their hopes alive by thrashing Iran 106-68 on Thursday in Group A at the men's basketball competitions at the Beijing Olympics at the Wukesong Indoor Stadium.

Brad Newley had a game-high 24 points and Patrick Mills added 15, Chris Anstey 13 for Australia (1-2).

Iran, led by Mohammad Nikkhan's 23 points, gave no challenge to Australia's dominance after trailing 16-3 in the first quarter.

Australia extended the lead by every quarter as they had 19 steals and beat Iran on the board by 39-25.

The 38-point gap is the biggest so far in the basketball tournament at the Games.

(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2008)