CANBERRA (Australia) - Fans will get a rematch of the overtime clash in the Group Phase between Australia
and New Zealand in the Final of the FIBA U15 Oceania Cup 2024 - another installment in the long-lasting rivalry.
Meanwhile, Tahiti survived a comeback bit by Fiji in the Classification 5-7 game.
New Zealand led for nearly the entire game in their 114-78 win over Tonga, but the upstart debutants still made it interesting for the fans in attendance.
Lawson Pryor knocked down a three-pointer just 16 seconds into the game, serving as a sign for what was to come over the next forty minutes as the young Tall Blacks never looked back from the driver's seat. Pryor finished with game with 33 points on 6 three-pointers and also grabbed 7 rebounds while dishing 4 assists.
It turned out to be an entertaining shootout between him and Tonga's star Troy Kaufusi, who turned heads with 46 points while also making 6 three-pointers of his own and going 18-19 from the charity stripe. In the first half alone, he scored 36 points.
Of course, New Zealand didn't mind Kaufusi continuously adding to his personal point total as long as they stayed in the lead and made their way through to the Final. It helped that they also had firepower in Brigham Hakaraia who recorded and all-around 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Tahiti then engaged in a tight contest with Fiji in the Classification 5-7 game, coming out on top 64-63.
The victory didn't come easy, however as they had actually led by as much as 12 points early in the second half before seeing that cushion evaporate even before the start of the final quarter.
Fiji's Jayden Yee helped jumpstart a fourth quarter where they claimed their biggest lead of the game of 8 points.
In the end, Tahiti stormed back led by Hiro Bonnet who scored 24 points while not resting a single second in the game to come out with the win.
Ratu Gosho Vishanin fought to the end, finishing with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Australia wrapped up the action by advancing to the Final yet again, defeating Samoa 107-69.
The Crocs had a slow start to the game, though it didn't take too long to catch steam and build up a sizable lead as usual.
John Aryang dominated the paint by going 10-12 from the field to finish with 20 points and 5 rebounds. Five other players scored in double-digits as the Crocs make their way to another Final appearance.
"It was a good game, the boys worked hard, the defense was good. We did well," said Aryang.
Upcoming Games - November 16
Classification 5-6 : Tahiti v Guam - 11:30 AM (GMT +11) Third-Place Game : Samoa v Tonga - 2:30 PM (GMT +11) Final : Australia v New Zealand - 5:00 PM (GMT +11)