Tall Blacks crush Hong Kong in Asia Cup qualifier

The Tall Blacks are off and rolling in their bid for Asia Cup qualification. Pero Cameron’s squad made it two victories in three days in the first window of qualifying, thrashing Hong Kong 88-49 on the North Shore on Sunday. It was a quick turnaround for the Tall Blacks, who flew back to New Zealand after their 89-69 victory over Chinese Taipei in Taipei early on Friday (NZ time). There wasn’t much sign of jet lag from the Tall Blacks, who were always in charge, against a Hong Kong side never expected to challenge them. The Tall Blacks stormed out to a 27-7 lead after the first quarter and by halftime virtually had the game locked up, leading by 27 (53-26). New Zealand led by as many as 42 points in a one-sided contest, which again showcased the pleasing depth in Kiwi hoops with most of their top names missing. Cameron was able to get all 12 players on court, including sons, Tobias, who started, and Flynn. Tobias poured in nine points, eight which came in the first half, in his 16 minutes of action. Big man Tyrell Harrison (214-C-1999), fresh off a pleasing ANBL season with the Brisbane Bullets, led the way for the Tall Blacks with a team-high 18 points and eight rebounds. Daniel Fotu (203-F-1999, college: SMC) also stood out with 13 points and six rebounds in 19 minutes on court. Samuel Timmins (211-F/C-1997, college: Washington) was a menace on the boards, pulling in 10 rebounds, including six on the offensive end, to go with eight points. Hong Kong had no answers for the Tall Blacks’ superior size, being outrebounded by a massive 61-31 margin. New Zealand grabbed 19 offensive boards to Hong Kong’s six. The Tall Blacks’ next Asia Cup qualifier is away to Philippines on November 21, followed by a home clash against Chinese Taipei on November 24.
Courtesy of: thepost.co.nz