The Junior Tall Blacks highly anticipated semi-final matchup against the USA has ended in a 120 to 64 loss at Lausanne Arena.
The loss has put an end to the team鈥檚 quest for gold at the 2025 edition of the FIBA U19 World Cup, however, the team still has the chance to create history by becoming the first New Zealand side to medal at a FIBA World Cup when they take on Slovenia in tomorrow鈥檚 bronze medal match.
The Kiwi鈥檚 got proceedings underway in Lausanne, thanks to a baseline jumper from big man, Julius Halaifonua.
But to be expected, the US came flying out of the gates, with their star forward AJ Dybantsa scoring a quick four points and a Mikel Brown Jr. triple gave the Americans an early lead.
Despite a couple of good looks from beyond the arc, the ball just wasn鈥檛 rolling the JTB鈥檚 way 鈥� and back-to-back buckets in the low post from USA鈥檚 seven-foot giant, Daniel Jacobsen forced Coach Lacey to burn his first timeout of the night.
A couple of buckets from Lachy Crate towards the end of the first quarter saw the lead cut ever so slightly, but the talented US squad continued to apply pressure and finished the quarter 32-14.
A tough shooting quarter for the Junior Tall Blacks continued into the second quarter, in which the USA would add to their lead whilst shooting an efficient 67% from the field.
It was almsot exactly halfway through the second quarter where guard, Jackson Ball, would hit the Kiwi鈥檚 first triple of the evening. Whilst the Junior Tall Blacks had their first, America鈥檚 Jasper Johnson would knock down his third triple of the night in transition, opening up a big 25 point lead for the USA.
Julius Halaifonua continued to use his strength and size down low, doing everything he could to keep the Kiwi鈥檚 in the game with a seven point, four rebound opening half.
However, it was the United States who鈥檇 go into the half-time lead up 55-26. The Junior Tall Blacks left to rue 13 turnovers and shooting 听31% from the field in the first half, with plenty for them to ponder heading into the second half.
The US would continue to apply the pressure at the beginning of the second half, and despite the JTB鈥檚 throwing absolutely everything they could at the Americans, the USA would add to their half-time lead.
Georgetown big, Halaifonua, would continue to make his presence felt down low for the New Zealanders, as he headed into double figure scoring.
Jackson Ball would put his gas on the accelerator for the JTB鈥檚 as he started to heat up in the third quarter, looking to spark the team back into action. Hayden Jones hit a triple in the late stages of the third, and had a huge block on the defensive end to send Tama Isaac away on a coast-to-coast transition bucket. It looked as though the Junior Tall Blacks had found their feet on the offensive end of the floor.
But as loaded and as talented as the USA was, they continue to score points regularly and held their big double-digit lead heading into the fourth quarter of action.
New Zealand鈥檚 Josh Wyllie got the fourth quarters action underway with a sweet runner down the lane, and got the team off to the perfect start. Kiwi guard Xanda Marsters made his presence felt as well, knocking down a triple for the New Zealanders.
Whilst the JTB鈥檚 continued to fight hard and with mana until the very end, the USA just proved too strong on the day, eventually running out 120-64 winners. A night for the Junior Tall Blacks where it just seemed at times there was a lid on the basket.
A disappointing end to the New Zealanders hopes of taking the gold, however, an effort that still leaves the team with a chance to return with some metal.
Coach Matt Lacey while disappointed with the result tonight, still proud of this group of young men and excited about the challenge at creating history.
鈥淲e put a gameplan together that we wanted to come out fighting and punching first and we just weren鈥檛 really able to get going tonight. Credit to the US, super talented team. But super proud of the guys and you know we still have an opportunity tomorrow to make history and get a bronze medal.鈥�
鈥淚 thought in the third we were a much more competitive team. Started to probably shift the ball and got a few consecutive stops which helps. But yeah, a ton of lessons against a team that like I said is long and athletic. We鈥檙e not quite used to playing that level across the board but certainly some positives out of the second half.鈥�
The Junior Tall Blacks will take on Slovenia in the bronze medal match, with all the teams focus now shifting to taking home 3rd.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not difficult to refocus at this point. We鈥檝e got an opportunity to win a medal,听 the first basketball medal that New Zealand would ever at a World Cup event. Slovenia is a good team, very different to the United States, so you know an opportunity to go out there and get bronze tomorrow night.鈥�
Star Junior Tall Blacks guard, Tama Isaac, shares that same enthusiasm.
鈥淵eah I feel like we鈥檙e all very excited to win a medal for the first time for New Zealand at a World Cup. For us it鈥檚 just moving onto the next game and yeah, just looking forward to it.鈥�
The bronze medal match will tip-off in the early hours of tomorrow morning, 3am (NZT)
Junior Tall Blacks 64 (Halaifonua 15 pts, 4 reb, Ball 12 pts, Isaac 8 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast) lose to USA 120 (Holt 20 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast, 4 stl, Johnson 14 pts, Khamenia 13 pts)
Junior Tall Blacks results at the FIBA U19 World Cup
POOL PLAY
v Argentina, W 77-72
v Mali, W 73-50
v Serbia, L 97-103
ROUND OF 16
v China, W 99-86
QUARTER FINAL
v Switzerland, W 84-70
SEMI FINAL
v USA, L 64-120
