The Emerging Junior Tall Blacks have created history at the FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Turkiye.
The under-17 boys national squad became the first New Zealand team to reach the top-eight at an age-group world championship after beating Egypt 85-64 in the Round of 16 on Wednesday (Thursday NZ Time).
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The victory sets up a quarterfinal matchup against European powerhouse Lithuania on Friday (tip-off 9.30pm NZT).
Manawatu Jets forward Lachlan Crate led six Kiwi players in double-figures scoring, with 14 points (5/11 FG, 3/6 3pt), to go with five rebounds.
Auckland Tuatara wider squad member Jackson Kiss finished with 13 points (5/7 FG, 3/6 FT), four assists and two steals, while Troy Plumtree managed 12 points (5/6 FG, 2/2 3pt) and seven boards.
The team's leading scorer Oscar Goodman had 11 points (4/11 FG, 2/5 3pt), seven rebounds, three assists and three steals, Nelson Giants guard Hayden Jones 11 points (5/11 FG) and five assists, and Mana Martin 10 points (3/5 FG, 2/3 3pt) and four boards.
New Zealand never trailed in the game, leading for 39:23 of the 40 minutes, with their largest lead 31 points late in the second period.
After wins over Turkey and Argentina, New Zealand lost to Italy 95-65 in their final Group C game on Tuesday (Wednesday NZT). The EJTBs committed 30 turnovers, went 0-for-13 on three-point attempts and just 25-of-46 on free-throws, with Goodman top-scoring with 13 points.
Emerging Junior Tall Blacks 85 (Lachlan Crate 14, Jackson Kiss 13, Troy Plumtree 12, Oscar Goodman 11, Hayden Jones 11, Mana Martin) Egypt 64 (Ali Assran 21, Mohamed Wael Shahin 16, Youssef Elhalawany 11). 1Q: 32-11, HT: 55-24, 3Q: 67-45