TEHRAN (FIBA Asia Challenge 2016) – Chinese Taipei came in the favored team to win, but they were on the receiving end of a pummelling as Jordan blew them out, 109-83, at the FIBA Asia Challenge 2016 in Tehran, Iran.

Drawing outstanding games from Dar Tucker, Zaid Abbas and Mohammad Shaher Hussein, Jordan were able to lead from wire-to-wire, never easing the pressure on Chinese Taipei.

Turning Point: Jordan got an early lead in the game, and Taipei were able to cut it to as low as 3 points, 36-33, in the middle of the second quarter. That was the closest they would get, though, as coach Sam Daghlas’s team put on even more pressure on both ends of the floor. Al Nashama led by 11 at the half and were never threatened in the remainder of the match.

Stats Don't Lie: Field goal shooting and rebounding were big boons for Jordan in this win. The West Asians shot an impressive 51.8% from the floor, which complemented their edge on the glass, 52-35.

Game Hero: It seems like Dar Tucker is getting more comfortable with his team as each day goes by, and that was evident in this game. Tucker shot 14-of-21 from the field, including 2 triples, to finish with 36 points. He has carried the team these past few games, and it’s likely he will continue to be their main facilitator and scorer moving forward.

The Bottom Line: This resounding win for Jordan had implications not just for both teams, but for others in their group — the Philippines in particular. This result effectively sealed the top four spots in Group E no matter the results of tomorrow’s games. Jordan join Chinese Taipei, China and India in advancing to the Quarter-Finals, while Gilas Pilipinas and Kazakhstan fall by the wayside.

FIBA