Junior Tall Blacks well-beaten by USA
- Dave Worsley
- Jul 6
- 1 min read
The United States did not waste any time in their 120-64 win over the Junior Tall Blacks in the FIBA U-19 World Cup semifinal in Switzerland.
The USA built an 18-point lead after the first quarter as the Junior Tall Blacks struggled to kick into gear and get any kind of rhythm going.
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The USA won the first quarter 32-14 and were ahead 55-26 at halftime. The third quarter was tighter as New Zealand came within a couple of points at 24-26, but again the United States side led by Caleb Holt with 20 points powered to a 39-14 final quarter.
The United States had six players make double figures and the luxury of using their entire bench with the lowest scroing adding six points.
The New Zealanders struggled for ball and found their opponents defence too tight with 34 rebounds and another 16 in offence.
Jackson Ball with 12 and Julius Halaifonua 15 were the only two New Zealanders to make double figures whille Hayden Jones made five points from nine shots at goal.
New Zealand still have a chance to make history with a matchup against Slovenia in the Third Place Game. A victory on the final day would mean the Oceania's best-ever finish in a FIBA competition.
