FIBA Basketball
FIBA - Tall Blacks off to winning start
MELBOURNE (Commonwealth Games) - New Zealand shrugged off a second-quarter fightback from South Africa to claim an ultimately comfortable 88-58 victory in their opening match at the Commonwealth Games
MELBOURNE (Commonwealth Games) - New Zealand shrugged off a second-quarter fightback from South Africa to claim an ultimately comfortable 88-58 victory in their opening match at the Commonwealth Games.
The Tall Blacks took early control of the match and looked set for an easy outing after establishing a 27-9 lead after the first period.
However, South Africa hit back and won the second quarter 13-12 to give the New Zealanders plenty to think about during the interval.
That was as good as it got for South Africa though as New Zealand reclaimed the ascendancy in the second half en route to a 30-point winning margin.
Aaron Olson paced the victors with 16 points while captain Pero Cameron weighed in with 13 points, 12 rebounds and two assists.
For South Africa, Nyakallo Nthuping poured in a game-high 19 points.
Although New Zealand got their tournament off to a winning start, Tall Blacks coach Tab Baldwin was far from satisfied with the performance of his side.
"We've only been playing together for a week and we need a little while longer to find cohesion as a team," he said.
"The fact that we had more international experience was an advantage, although that led us to feel too comfortable, and that's where we let ourselves down."
Cameron added: "We let ourselves down with the rebounds and it's something we're going to have to work on in the future."
England, who look the likeliest threat to New Zealand and Australia's hopes of winning gold in Melbourne, also started their campaign with a win, downing Barbados 75-59.
The match was much closer than England would have wanted and they needed a final-quarter blitz - where they outscored their opponents 29-7 - to claim the spoils.
England star John Amaechi admits his side have plenty to work on.
"We haven't put it together yet, but it's a first step towards getting a good, competitive international team," the 35-year-old said.
"Some of us have a lot more to bring to the game, some of us are still learning."
England forward/guard Andrew Sullivan of the Newcastle Eagles led all scorers with 21 points while he also handed out five assists in an impressive display.
PA Sport
The Tall Blacks took early control of the match and looked set for an easy outing after establishing a 27-9 lead after the first period.
However, South Africa hit back and won the second quarter 13-12 to give the New Zealanders plenty to think about during the interval.
That was as good as it got for South Africa though as New Zealand reclaimed the ascendancy in the second half en route to a 30-point winning margin.
Aaron Olson paced the victors with 16 points while captain Pero Cameron weighed in with 13 points, 12 rebounds and two assists.
For South Africa, Nyakallo Nthuping poured in a game-high 19 points.
Although New Zealand got their tournament off to a winning start, Tall Blacks coach Tab Baldwin was far from satisfied with the performance of his side.
"We've only been playing together for a week and we need a little while longer to find cohesion as a team," he said.
"The fact that we had more international experience was an advantage, although that led us to feel too comfortable, and that's where we let ourselves down."
Cameron added: "We let ourselves down with the rebounds and it's something we're going to have to work on in the future."
England, who look the likeliest threat to New Zealand and Australia's hopes of winning gold in Melbourne, also started their campaign with a win, downing Barbados 75-59.
The match was much closer than England would have wanted and they needed a final-quarter blitz - where they outscored their opponents 29-7 - to claim the spoils.
England star John Amaechi admits his side have plenty to work on.
"We haven't put it together yet, but it's a first step towards getting a good, competitive international team," the 35-year-old said.
"Some of us have a lot more to bring to the game, some of us are still learning."
England forward/guard Andrew Sullivan of the Newcastle Eagles led all scorers with 21 points while he also handed out five assists in an impressive display.
PA Sport