Basketball New Zealand

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Nelson guard Chris Duthie confirmed his status as the best individual performer on the Junior Tall Blacks’ European tour, but the young Kiwis will return home winless after falling 72-76 to Argentina in their final outing of the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Germany.

Duthie led all scorers with 22 points (10/19 FG, 2/3 3pt) and flirted with a triple double, adding eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals. He averaged 12.2 points (45.5% FG), 8.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals over at the six games at the AST, leading New Zealand in all three categories.

The JTBs were only three points adrift after the opening quarter, but fell away little over the second period and could never quite claw their way back despite outscoring the South Americans over the second half.

They gained at least parity in most of the key statistical areas, but were probably let down again by wayward shooting, especially from the free throw line where they converted 7/14 attempts. They were 44/93 (47.3%) over the tournament.

The Junior Tall Blacks will now return home to prepare for the FIBA Oceania Championships at Palmerston North in September, knowing they must improve dramatically to challenge Australia for the Oceania berth at the next world championships.

The Emus have dominated the Schweitzer event and will face hosts Germany in the final tomorrow.

Albert Schweitzer Tournament

Mannheim Germany
Friday, April 10
Argentina 76 NZ Junior Tall Blacks 72 (Chris Duthie 22, Reuben Te Rangi 16, Jordan Ngatai 13, Stefan Mandic 12)
Q 21-18
HT 43-32 (22-14)
Q3 54-49 (11-17)
FT 76-72 (22-23)