POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Kody Stattmann
FINAL
Australia - New Zealand 72-63
Australia clinched the title in Nonthaburi. They beat New Zealand in the championship game tonight. Kody Stattmann (194-F/G-00) posted 17 points to lead the Emus. Australia dominated in the first period. They recorded a 26:11 lead at the first break. New Zealand narrowed the deficit in the next two periods. They entered the final stanza trailing by 6 points. But Australia held their opponents to just 13 points in the fourth quarter and raced to the trophy. Kyle Bowen (200-F-00) had 13 points and 10 rebounds for the champions. Maxwell Darling (196-F-00) replied with 20 points for New Zealand.
3-4 Place
China - Philippines 76-57
China stepped onto the pedestal in Nonthaburi. They fired past Philippines to celebrate Bronze medals. Michael Wang (208-F-00) stepped up with 27 points and 14 rebounds for the winners. China posted a 43:26 halftime lead. They held Philippines to 31 points in the second half and rallied to the victory. Jie Xu (177-G-00) finished with 18 points for the winners. Kai Sotto (216-C-02) replied with 16 points and 8 rebounds for Philippines.
5-6 Place
Iran - Japan 58-60
Japan nipped Iran to earn the fifth position. Japan got to a strong start building an 18:9 lead after ten minutes. Iran cut the distance at 3-point mark before the fourth frame. They held Japan to 15 points in the final period but came up short of win at the end. Yuki Kawamura (169-G-01) had 18 points, while Takuto Nakamura (182-G-01) chipped in 12 points for the winners. Amirhossein Rezaeifar (196-F-00) and Mohammadreza Taghilou (192-SG-00) provided 10 points each for Iran.
7-8 Place
South Korea - Bahrain 93-100
Bahrain finished the tournament on a high note. They outscored South Korea to claim the 7th position. Bahrain accounted for a 50:46 halftime lead. South Korea dropped 27 points in the third term to spur ahead. But Bahrain answered with a 29-point effort in the final quarter to ensure the winning outcome. Mustafa Rashed (177-PG-02) topscored with 33 points for Bahrain. Ali Kadhem (185-G-00) had 15 points for the winners. Jun-Seok Yeo answered with 23 points for South Korea.
