Team veterans Pero Cameron and Phill Jones steered the Tall Blacks to their first win in the Four-Nation basketball tournament in China today.
Captain Cameron and sharp shooter Jones were instrumental in the New Zealanders beating a United States Basketball Academy side 84-79 in Ha'erbin.
The result followed earlier losses
to China, Lithuania and the Academy.
Jones hit a three-pointer with just over one minute remaining to break a 77-77 deadlock, and Cameron came up with a big defensive rebound and when fouled, converted two key free throws with 21 seconds left to seal the result.
"It's good to get the win, that's for sure," coach Tab Baldwin said. "But we've still got a long way to go ... we've got another tough one tomorrow."
The Tall Blacks tomorrow play China.
Result:
New Zealand 84 (Phill Jones 17, Pero Cameron 12, Aaron Olson 11)
United States Basketball Academy 79.
Halftime: 42-43.
- NZPA
