<\/p>\n
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Photo: PHOTOSPORT\n<\/p>\n
The Tall Blacks have finished fourth at the Asia Cup tournament in Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n
New Zealand were beaten 79-73 by Iran in the play-off for bronze.<\/p>\n
Australia beat China 90-89 in the final to retain their title.<\/p>\n
New Zealand fell behind early and trailed Iran 47-33 at half time and while the Tall Blacks got close a couple of times, Iran were able to shoot their way to a good lead.<\/p>\n
Flynn Cameron top scored with 18 points, while Mojave King was the only other player to reach double figures with 13.<\/p>\n
New Zealand coach Judd Flavell admits they failed to defend well in the first half.<\/p>\n
“They shot the ball very well and I think we were late in our defensive schemes and not quite as committed as we needed to be,” Flavell said,<\/p>\n
“The second half, a much better effort, this group finding some grit to work its way out of a hole and in the end making it a close ball game.”<\/p>\n
It was the third time power forward Tohi Smith-Milner had reached the Asia Cup semi-finals without making a final.<\/p>\n
“We did show a lot of grit in the second half, especially for such a young team. I’m still so proud of this group. I have mixed emotions right now… just a little bit disappointed,” said Smith-Milner.<\/p>\n
In just their third FIBA Asia Cup, the Tall Blacks secured a third consecutive top-four finish after coming fourth at the 2017 edition and winning bronze in 2022.<\/p>\n