Korea comes from behind to take down Junior Tall Blacks in overtime and top Group C

DOHA (Qatar) - Korea looked as if they had an outside chance, but were able to will their way to a gritty overtime victory against New Zealand, 79-73.

The Tall Blacks had a big advantage throughout the game, especially with their star big men, Nic Book and Julius Halaifonua, dominating the paint. Both players had double-doubles with Book going for 15 points and 13 rebounds while Halaifonua recorded 16 points, 17 rebounds, and 2 blocks on 7-10 shooting.

New Zealand dominated the boards with 65 rebounds in total opposed to Korea’s 39. More importantly, New Zealand had a whopping 24 offensive rebounds compared to Korea’s 22 defensive rebounds.

That’s why the Tall Blacks were able to extend their lead to as much as 12 points early in the second quarter. They controlled the lead and they controlled the glass. It felt as if they were in control of the game in the second half.

But Korea didn’t back down.

As they struggled to knock down their three-pointers, shooting only 20.7 percent on 29 attempts. Instead, they had to focus on the defensive end first and foremost to kickstart their offense.

Their defensive intensity was put to good use as Korea had 16 steals and forced New Zealand into committing 28 turnovers. Korea got 28 points off of those turnovers and had 25 points off fastbreak opportunities.

Korea were able to tie the game late in the third quarter, but the job wasn’t done. The two teams went back and forth, leaving the score tied at 66-66, down to the deciding seconds of the fourth quarter.

Korea had a chance to win the game then and there when Chan You Ko went to the free-throw line with just one second left in the game. Korea had struggled the entire game from the charity stripe going only, 13-23, and it would hurt them once again when Chan missed both potential game winning free-throws.

However, Chan bounced back strongly in the overtime session. He was the first player to get on the scoreboard in overtime with a layup and went through the remaining minutes 4-4 from the free-throw line. His free-throws provided the points that gave Korea the lead for good as well as being the last points to ice the game.

After shaking off the missed free-throws, Chan ended the game with 19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 steals. Four players ended up scoring in double-digits for Korea, led by Lee GwanWoo who had 20 points and 4 three-pointers off the bench.

Korea’s win gives them a direct spot at the Quarter-Finals, waiting in the top side of the bracket. New Zealand come in at second-place in Group D, where they will wait to face Kuwait in the Qualifying Phase.

FIBA