NZ finish fourth at under-19 basketball World Cup
Photo:
FIBA/Rana Elanwar
New Zealand has finished fourth at the men's under-19 basketball World Cup in Switzerland.
New Zealand was beaten 91-87 by Slovenia in the play-off for third.
The Slovenians were up by seven at quarter-time, with the New Zealanders having already lost their big man, Oscar Goodman, after only four minutes.
Slovenia were six up at half time and 11 at three-quarter time.
But the Junior Tall Blacks clawed their way back into the game and closed to within two with just a few seconds to play before Slovenia sealed the game with a couple of free throws.
Hayden Jones top the scoring with 21 points, while Tama Isaac hit 20.
It is New Zealand's best ever result at the tournament.
They have competed three previous times with their best result until today 11th in 2017.
Their effort sits alongside the Tall Blacks' fourth placing at the FIBA World Cup in 2002 and the fourth placing by the under-17 team at their World Cup last year.
The USA and Germany meet in the final.
New Zealand lost 120-64 to the USA in the semi-finals.
Australia finished sixth.
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