Korea finish in third place with second defeat of New Zealand

BEIRUT (FIBA Asia Cup 2017) - Korea finished with third place at the FIBA Asia Cup 2017, taking a 80-71 win to make it two wins from two against New Zealand in the competition.

Korea went on a 15-0 run bridging the first and second quarters to recover from a slow start and would lead the rest of the game on their way to an impressive showing across the tournament.

Ung Heo had 20 points to lead Korea, Sekeun Oh had 14 points and 8 rebounds, whilst Junyong Choi had his best performance of the tournament with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. 

New Zealand had 22 points and a couple of thunderous dunks from Finn Delaney, with Reuben Te Rangi adding 18.

Korea struggled early, going down eight in the first quarter, before turning the deficit into an eight point lead by the time of the first break. The run was led by Heo, who had 9 points in the quarter, culminating in a buzzer beating three.

Korea carried their hot streak into in the second period, opening on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a Choi fastbreak dunk forcing New Zealand into a timeout.

And though New Zealand would continue their fightback, getting back to within five heading into the last five minutes, Korea would have answers to every rally.