MORE than 500 people packed into WIRAC to watch the visiting Cameroon national basketball team in two warm-up matches at the weekend.

On Saturday night, about 350 people headed along to watch the team take on the Brisbane Capitals, a close match that ended up with Cameroon running away in the last quarter, winning 81 to 73.

Then on Sunday afternoon the Toowoomba Mountaineers travelled to Warwick to play in front of about 200 people.

In another tight tussle, the Cameroon side got up again, this time winning 78-71.

The games were a bonus for the Southern Downs community, and families turned out in force for the opportunity to see an international sporting team go through their paces.

Southern Downs Regional Council CEO David Keenan said the Cameroon team's stay in the region was a fantastic opportunity for future business, sporting and cultural opportunities.

"It's a great way to promote the region and just this game tonight has attracted not only the team from Toowoomba, but their fans and families as well,” Keenan said.

"This all came out of a community consultative committee idea a few years ago, and all credit must go to that group of people who recommended we try to entice a team to the region.

"Big thanks to Mr Rubio and his team from Warwick Christian College as well, the Warwick Boxing Club and David Jordan from WIRAC.”

Warwick mother Jackie Stevens took her two young daughters to watch the game.

"It's not often you get to see something like this in Warwick,” Stevens said.

"I've been explaining to the girls about the Commonwealth Games and about Cameroon and it's nice to be able to show them something a little bit different.”

Councillor Neil Meiklejohn attended with daughter Caitlyn and son Jacob and echoed Stevens' sentiments.

"It's great to have the opportunity to see something like this on our own doorstep,” Meiklejohn said.

"These guys are barely off the plane as well, they were the last group to arrive, so they must be feeling the pinch.

"But they are professional athletes so expected to just get on with it.”

Meiklejohn said the team's visit had ignited a spark in the community.

"Hopefully our region and this country will forge friendships that will benefit both in the future,” he said.