The MBO Tall Blacks went toe to toe with another giant in the basketball world in their opening game at the FIBA World Cup but were undone by a third quarter lapse in losing 94-102 to Brazil in Nanjing.
The New Zealanders promised an up-tempo game and an all court offence and that is what they delivered in a first half performance that deserved better than the 50 all score line at the main break, with Corey Webster the dominant figure with 17 points including five three pointers.
But defensive lapses and Brazil finding hot hands hurt the Kiwis in the third quarter, the 28-12 score in that ten minute period essentially proving the difference in the match, as Brazil withstood a gallant fourth quarter fight back that had the New Zealanders back inside single figures with 90 seconds to play.
Captain Tom Abercrombie brought up his 100th game for the team and with two World Cups under his belt he knows how important that first game can be, but also the need to look ahead and bounce back quickly.
“That feels like one that got away, we came out with good mindset I think and played a really tough first half and probably should have been up more if we had knocked down a few more shots. The third quarter saw a few little errors, they made a couple of shots and we dropped our heads for a few second and that is all it takes at this level and they capitalized. We made a nice run at the end, but it was too little too late.
“We have to bounce back, we have more time than in some previous tournaments, we have a day to prepare for Montenegro, that will be a massive game and the boys will be ready for that and ready to bounce back. I guess in this new format every game is just so much more important, the next one is the one we are thinking about now and that is the most important game.
“It is must win, there is no other ifs or buts about it, it is must win. We back ourselves, we have put a lot of effort and energy into Brazil but everything now is geared towards getting the bodies recovered for the next game. Physically we are as prepared as we can be, we will bounce back and be good, mentally we just have to lock in and get to know these guys as best we can.”
Coach Paul Henare was proud of his side but like Abercrombie also rueful of one that got away.
“I cannot question the intent and effort tonight, the boys gave it everything but we just had too many breakdowns in the third quarter and against a quality side like Brazil, you can’t give them anything. We lost the possession game giving up too many offensive rebounds and turnovers, for us to compete like we did in three of the four quarters, we have to be that good throughout the entire 40 minutes.
“But there was a lot to like tonight, I thought our pace was great and we played the way we are setting out to play and drew a reaction from a very good team.
“We now have a choice in front of us, we can dwell on this and feel sorry for ourselves or we can pick ourselves up and get ready to go again in less than 48 hours. We have spent a lot of time preparing for Brazil, now we must give our full attention to Montenegro and keep our tournament alive in another big game.”
Others to impress alongside Webster with 19 points (7 of 19) were Issac Fotu with 17 points – many of them with his trademark work in the paint, Shea Ili who showed he can match it with anyone on the world stage with his pace and drives to the rim while on an off night shooting, Rob Loe picked up ten boards, four of them at the offensive end.
New Zealand went into the game with just 11 players suiting up, with Jarrod Kenny sitting out after suffering a groin strain at the final practice yesterday.
New Zealand next face Montenegro in Nanjing on September 3rd, tip off 8pm NZT with live coverage on Maori Television.
Final Score:
- MBO Tall Blacks 94 (C Webster 19 pts 6 assists, Fotu 17, Ili 16 pts 6 assists, T Webster 12, Loe 11 pts 10 rebounds)
- Brazil 102 (Barbosa 22, Luz 15, Garcia 14)
BOX SCORE at www.fiba.com
MORE INFORMATION:
FIBA World Cup official website: http://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2019
Tall Blacks news: https://nz.basketball/category/tall-blacks/
Tall Blacks schedule: https://nz.basketball/national-teams/tall-blacks/schedule/
Read more about Tū Kaha: https://nz.basketball/the-meaning-of-tu-kaha-and-the-tall-blacks-culture/
Follow the Tall Blacks’ social media channels: @TallBlacks Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. Hashtags: #TuKaha #TallBlacks #FIBAWC
