2013 FIBA Oceania Championship Final: Australia beat New Zealand 70 - 59 in first leg

Australia beat New Zealand 70 – 59 in the first leg of the final of the FIBA Oceania Championship played at Auckland. New Zealand, nicknamed The Tall Blacks, nearly pulled off the home court win against the mighty Australians and had the local crowd on their feet when they took a 13-9 lead over the Boomers in the half way to the first quarter. But Australia took the first quarter 21 – 18 and New Zealand took the second quarter 21 – 11 to go to the halftime with a 7 point lead.

Australia started to find their rhythm in the 3rd quarter, pulling the score back to a one basket lead as they took the third quarter 22 – 13. In the last quarter, the New Zealanders found Australia too hot to handle as the Aussies took the last quarter 16 – 7 to win the match 70 – 59.

Corey Webster top scored for the Tall Blacks with 14 points and skipper Mika Vukona netted in 11 points for Tall Blacks while guard Patrick Mills top scored with 20 points for Australia as Matthew Dellavedova netted 11 points and David Andersen netted 12 points for Australians.

Patrick Mills was named the game’s Most Valuable Player and received a Tissot watch from FIBA’s Global sponsors Tissot. The return match of the series will be played in Canberra on Sunday. Both teams have already qualified for the Spain 2014 FIBA World Cup.