Tall Blacks take World Cup qualifying pool top spot, despite final loss to Jordan

February 25, 2019

The Tall Blacks have ended their FIBA World Cup qualifying campaign in defeat, with their 10 match winning streak ended by a 86-80 loss to Jordan in Amman.

With a number of key players rested following Saturday's 69-67 win over Lebanon, Paul Henare's side took a slender 19-16 lead at the end of the first quarter, before going into the halftime interval down by one, trailing 36-35.

At the end of the third quarter, the hosts extended their lead out to 60-56, not surrendering their lead before the final whistle to claim victory, giving Jordan one of the final spots for this year's World Cup in China.

Corey Webster led the way for the Tall Blacks, coming away with 18 points, along with seven assists and four rebounds, aided by Jarrod Kenny (12 points), Finn Delany (10) and Tom Abercrombie (10).

Despite the loss, the Tall Blacks still finish top of their qualifying pool on points differential, with their 10 win and two loss record identical to South Korea.

New Zealand join Australia, hosts China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, the Philippines and Jordan as the eight sides to have qualified from FIBA's Asian confederation.

The World Cup draw takes place on March 16 in Shenzen, before the tournament begins on August 31.

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