Basketball New Zealand

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The Junior Tall Blacks are still searching for the first win of their European tour after falling 58-93 to Brazil in their first game of classification play at the prestigious Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Mannheim, Germany.

New Zealand scored the first points of the game through Nelson guard Chris Duthie and lagged by only five points at the end of the opening quarter. But the Brazilians drew away in the second period, riding eight unanswered points into the halftime break (46-27), and built on that dominance as the second half unfolded.

The young Kiwis scrapped around the boards for possession, but turned the ball over 23 times under pressure and, again, shot badly (38.1% FG, 8/19 FT).

Harbour guard Brad Anderson led the JTBs with 13 points (5/10 FG, 2/3 3pt, 1/2 FT), two rebounds and an assist in 19 minutes, while captain Max Williams of New Plymouth had 12 points (4/6 FG, 3/5 3pt, 1/2 FT), eight rebounds and two assists before fouling out.

On Thursday, New Zealand face Japan, who are also winless for the tournament, in the tussle for placings 13-16.

Albert Schweitzer Tournament

Mannheim, Germany
Wednesday, April 7
Brazil 93 NZ Junior Tall Blacks 58 (Brad Anderson 13, Max Williams 12, Chris Duthie 11)
Q1 21-16
HT 46-27 (25-11)
Q3 69-41 (23-14)
FT 93-58 (24-17)