New Zealand Tall Blacks’ Tom Voldanovich. FIBA.BASKETBALL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—New Zealand opened its campaign with a 101-46 beatdown of India in Group A of the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tall Blacks wasted no time in establishing their dominance as they buried the Young Cagers 32-8 at the end of the first quarter.
It was then cruise control for New Zealand as it kept pouring it in the second as it more than doubled India’s production heading into the break, 52-25.
Tom Voldanovich led the Tall Blacks with 21 points while Ethan Rusbatch added 18 points and five assists.
Rob Loe finished with a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double for New Zealand while Taylor Britt also logged double digits in offense with 11 points while tallying four steals.
Sahaij Pratap Singh Sekhon led India with 10 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
New Zealand was supposed to face South Korea on Friday. Instead, it will face Gilas Pilipinas next on Sunday.
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