Tall Blacks

2023 - 2 - 24

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Image courtesy of "Stuff.co.nz"

Fringe Tall Blacks shine in Saudi Arabia rout as World Cup selection ... (Stuff.co.nz)

Canterbury product stakes claim for Tall Blacks' World Cup spot in dominant qualifying win over Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia, who sit fifth in Group E and had won just two of their eight games, produced some physical play to open the game. Christchurch lad Ethan Rusbatch, back in his hometown, put on a show early, dancing through the Saudi defence and hitting the bucket. “We’ve still got a lot of things to navigate in front of us. When you add in the Webster brothers, Corey and Tai, Shea Ili, Rob Loe, Finn Delany, Yanni Wetzell, among others, the Tall Blacks have some healthy selection headaches. By halftime, the Tall Blacks were in complete control, leading by 32 points (65-33) after shooting 23/33 (70%) from the floor in the first half. The Tall Blacks put on an offensive clinic, scoring 110 points on 65% shooting from the field (42/65) and 46% from three point range (12/26).

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Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Basketball: Tall Blacks claim emphatic win over Saudi Arabia (New Zealand Herald)

The Tall Blacks have claimed their first World Cup qualifier win for 2023, dispatching Saudi Arabia 110-63 in Christchurch.

The Kiwis cooled down somewhat in the final frame, held to just 16 points, but closed out a strong win. Reuben Te Rangi added 17 - with just one missed field goal attempt - and five assists, while Sam Waardenburg registered 17 points and 8 rebounds in an impressive Tall Blacks debut. The third period continued in a similar manner as the quarters before it, with the Kiwis continuing to build a lead.

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Image courtesy of "Newshub"

Basketball: Hot-shooting Tall Blacks run riot against Saudi Arabia in ... (Newshub)

The tourists were no match for the Kiwis in Christchurch on Friday.

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