Back on court after drug ban, Xavier Cooks lifts Boomers to series-clinching victory over Tall Blacks

Boomers forward Xavier Cooks has lifted Australia to a series-clinching victory over New Zealand in his second game back from his drug suspension.

Cooks, back on court after serving a one-month ban for testing positive to cocaine, amassed a Boomers-high 16 points and eight rebounds as he led Australia to a 92-67 win over the Tall Blacks on Friday night.

The win on the Sunshine Coast gave Australia an unassailable 2-0 lead in the Trans-Tasman Showdown.

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At the same venue immediately after the Boomers' win, the Opals also took an unassailable 2-0 lead by thumping the Tall Ferns 98-57 in the women's series.

Boomers captain Mitch Norton gave a nod to Cooks, a star of the Sydney Kings, in an on-court interview after the match.

"Someone who probably doesn't get spoken about enough is Xavier Cooks, coming back in and having a really good impact," Norton told Nine. "It's really cool to see."

Another key Boomers contributor was Elijah Pepper, who posted 12 points, five rebounds and two three-pointers.

Todd Blanchfield chalked up 11 points, six rebounds and a trio of three-pointers, while Angus Glover tallied 10 points and two three-pointers.

"I think that's what we love about us — we're unselfish," Norton said.

"We've got guys who obviously draw a lot of attention."

In the Opals' win, Miela Sowah and Alex Fowler scored an equal-high 15 points each, with the former netting a trio of three-pointers.

Maddison Rocci also starred, chalking up 13 points including two three-pointers.

Isobel Borlase registered 10 points and five rebounds, while Courtney Woods had a game-high seven assists.

The men's and women's Trans-Tasman Throwdown series will wrap up in Hamilton, New Zealand on Sunday.