New Zealand made it through the Round of Sixteen at the FIBA U18 Asian Championship in Thailand on Wednesday beating India 109-76.
It took the Kiwis a while to get going as they only led by ten at half-time (52-42) but a 32-16 third quarter did the trick.
Oscar Oswald (17 points) was the main source of points for New Zealand in the early stages half with James Moors (20 points) finding his scoring touch in the second.
Matt O’Connell (15 points) put some icing on the win in the closing stages.
New Zealand will now face Iran in the critical quarter-final tie on Thursday. The winner obviously advances to the semi-finals but more importantly secures a place at the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup next year.
The major concern for the Kiwis was a knee injury suffered by Max Darling who was sidelined in the first half and remained on ice in the second.
New Zealand Scorers:
James Moors 20/8r, Oscar Oswald 17/8r, Matt O’Connell 15, Kruz Perrott-Hunt 14/8r/6a, Max Darling 12/9r, Tom Higgins 11, Isaac Faamausili 6, Max De Geest 5, Flynn Cameron 4, Sam Mennenga 3/8r, Max Stephens 2
LACEY LOWDOWN 