The New Zealand Tall Blacks have qualified for the 2019 World Cup in China after a 97 to 74 victory over Syria.
After a 23-point win over Syria at TSB Bank Arena in Wellington, the Tall Blacks have secured their spot as one of
Asia's six automatic qualifiers for basketball's pinnacle event next year in August.
Without key player Shea Ili, the Tall Blacks dominated the visitors from the outset with the result inevitable from as
early as the first stanza with Syria unable to score within the first 5 minutes.
Syria would play better in the second half, outscoring the hosts, 48-36, but it was just too little, too late for the
visiting West Asian side.
Veteran Tom Abercrombie led the charge as the side's top scorer with 15 points and three triples, Alex Pledger and Ethan
Rusbatch finished on 11 while Mika Vukona notched 10 points, four rebounds and two steals.
Of their last 10 qualifying matches the Tall Blacks have won nine, their only loss coming in the opening match to Korea
in November 2017. New Zealand still have two games remaining in the Asian qualifiers against Lebanon and Jordan in
February however the results will not affect their qualifying spot.
- RNZ