Tall Blacks surge late to shake off tenacious Iraq on opening day of Fiba Asia Cup

New Zealand - Iraq 100-78

A classy display from Taylor Britt (188-G-1996, college: Southeast CC) and a surging fourth-quarter finish proved enough to dig Judd Flavell’s Tall Blacks out of a tight spot in their Fiba Asia Cup Group D opener against Iraq in Jeddah on Tuesday night (NZT). The New Zealanders flirted with a monumental upset through the first three periods against a side 70 places below them on the Fiba world rankings, but, behind Britt’s poised display, another strong offensive showing from newcomer Mojave King (196-G/F-2002) and some fourth-quarter heroics from the athletic Carlin Davison (197-SF-2003) and experienced Tohi Smith-Milner (205-F-1995, college: Polk State CC), did the job late to cruise to a comfortable victory that spared their blushes. After trailing by a point at the halftime break, and leading by just a bucket (63-61) at the three-quarter mark, the Tall Blacks powered home with a 37-17 final term to notch an opening night victory that was a lot tougher than the final digits indicated. Britt finished with a game-high 21 points, on 8-of-12 shooting, 7 boards, 4 assists and a pair of steals in a measured display that was especially important when his team-mates were struggling early on. King, on his first tour with the Tall Blacks, added a crucial 18 points, on 7-of-13 shooting, while Davison showcased his hops late with 12 points, at a 5-of-8 clip, 7 boards and 3 dimes and veteran centre Smith-Milner chipped in 13 points and 5 boards with a strong finish. The Tall Blacks made the shots late to finish at a respectable overall shooting clip (37 of 79 at 47%), but a 9-of-32 hit-rate from deep will concern coach Flavell, as will a host of missed bunnies at the rim and a raft of defensive breakdowns through the first three periods. It was a largely messy effort overall from the New Zealanders who won the rebounding battle (46-36), had a 28-10 edge in points off turnovers and a 33-7 advantage in fast-break points, but still struggled to put the Iraqis away until the final term. The Tall Blacks had looked in control when they extended a 24-16 first-period lead to a dozen early in the second term, but continued to misfire from deep and allowed the Iraqis too much latitude on offence as they came charging back to take a shock one-point lead at the major break. The Tall Blacks’ woes were lit large in their shooting stats through the first two periods as they made just 14 of 43 attempts overall (33%), including a miserable 3 of 20 from beyond the arc. The Kiwis had just two assists for the half. Despite seven key points from Britt in the third period, the New Zealanders needed a buzzer-beating tap-in from Davison to edge out by a bucket, 63-61, at the final break. Then normal service finally kicked in, and the Tall Blacks won in a canter, shots dropping and the ball finding the open man. Better will be required as this tournament plays on.
Courtesy of: stuff.co.nz