The youthful Tall Blacks have suffered a second loss in as many games in the Middle East, falling 75-92 to an efficient Jordan in New Zealand's final World Cup Qualifier game of the year.
Ethan Rusbatch on the dribble for the Tall Blacks in their World Cup Qualifying game against Jordan. Photo: Basketball NZ
With the scores tied at the end of the first half, Jordan caught fire after the main interval while fatigue set in for New Zealand; the Tall Blacks guilty of 10 second-half turnovers and 3-14 shooting from outside, while also losing the rebounding battle 33-38 - giving up 11 offensive boards to the taller Jordanian big men.
The Tall Blacks were also hampered by foul trouble for much of the game, as evidenced by the 21-7 free throw discrepancy in favour of the physically imposing Jordan side.
Dar Tucker was a difference-maker with 31 points (6-10 from downtown), with the undersized visitors unable to contain Ahmad Al Dwairi who racked up 22 points & 12 rebounds. Guard Freddy Ibrahim also had a strong game for Jordan with 9 points and 14 assists.
Tohi Smith-Milner again led the Kiwis with 17 points, while Hyrum Harris had a solid 15 points, 7 rebounds & 4 assists; Ethan Rusbatch with 14 (including 4 triples) and Taylor Britt tallying 12 points & 6 assists. Jordan Hunt and Alex McNaught also contributed 6 apiece off the bench.
The result comes three days after New Zealand suffered their first defeat in qualifying play, having lost 77-65 to Lebanon in Beirut.
With New Zealand having already secured a place at next year's World Cup, head coach Pero Cameron chose an inexperienced squad -- including three debutants -- for the two-game tour.
Cameron was nevertheless unhappy with a result which reduces his team's record to six wins and two defeats.
"I'm really disappointed in our third and fourth quarter, it was a tough first half and both teams played hard and physical," Cameron said.
"We didn't make the adjustments later in the game and I felt Tucker hit some really good shots down the stretch; [Al Dwairi] controlled the boards and we turned it over too much in a crucial time. So it's tough to compete when things go that way in the third and fourth."
The Tall Blacks will regroup early next year, ahead of home games, against Saudi Arabia in Christchurch on February 24th, followed by a re-match with Lebanon in Wellington on February 27th.
- RNZ