Basketball New Zealand

New Zealand Junior Tall Blacks

The New Zealand Junior Tall Blacks were challenged but still managed a second win over Egypt in Porirua on Thursday night in their build-up towards next week’s FIBA U19 World Championship in Auckland.

Forward Richie Edwards led the JTBs with 18 points as New Zealand picked up their second win in as many nights of the African champions at Te Rauparaha Arena.

The Kiwis did not have it all their own way, forced into 18 turnovers and shooting low percentages by a more aggressive Egyptian team, who improved from another day in the country.

“It’s what we wanted out of these games, a tough opponent,” Junior Tall Blacks assistant coach Judd Flavell said.

“The way they finished the fourth quarter last night was the way they started today’s game. There’s still plenty for us to work on. These games are to work on a bunch of different things and get the wrinkles ironed out and get things right for next week.

“But it’s always pleasing to get an international win and winning can become a habit as well.”

Hutt Valley’s Riki Buckrell was New Zealand’s second-highest scorer with nine points, while Amr El Gendy, who had 30 points on Wednesday night, was held to a team-high 15 points, with Omar Tarek adding 10 points.

The Junior Tall Blacks next play Lithuania, who arrive in New Zealand on Friday, in Porirua on Saturday night, tip-off 7.30pm, before three closed-session games against Lithuania, Puerto Rico and Syria on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

New Zealand Junior Tall Blacks 72 (Richie Edwards 18, Riki Buckrell 9) Egypt 56 (Amr El Gendy 15, Omar Tarek 10)
1Q: 23-10
HT: 38-31 (15-21)
3Q: 56-48 (18-17)
FT: 72-56 (16-8)