TOHI Smith-Milner caught fire late to lead New Zealand to the bronze medal in the 2022 Fiba Asia Cup with an 83-75 success over Jordan on Sunday at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta.
The veteran forward depleted three consecutive treys to push the Tall Blacks ahead, 75-68, preceding Taki Fahrensohn’s dunk covered an 18-2 final quarter attack that gave their side a 77-68 lead with 3:53 left to play.
Amin Abu Hawwas and Freddy Ibrahim attempted to get the Falcons in it, yet Taylor Britt and Flynn Cameron put the final details in New Zealand’s fight against eminent loss triumph from 15 points down.
Smith-Milner penetrated seven treys, four coming in the last canto, for his 25 points and three bounce back to lead the Tall Blacks in the third-place game.
Fahrensohn likewise poured in 19 points as Sam Timmins had 12 points and five boards as the Tall Blacks won their first medal of any color since the Oceania groups joined the mainland competition in 2017.
Abu Hawwas and Hashem Abbas both had 19 points to lead Jordan, while seasoned big man Zaid Abbas got 15 points and nine rebounds in the fourth-place finish.
