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IRAN over LEBANON, 80-70
Box Scores.
Iran will advance to play Korea in the FIBA Asia Cup Semi-Finals after an 80-70 victory over Lebanon in their Quarter-Final on Wednesday evening.
Hamed Haddadi had a monster 20-point, 20-rebound double double; the first 20-20 game of the tournament, Sajjad Mashayekhi had a number of key plays, and Mohammad Jamshidi had 24 points whilst only missing four shots to help Iran to the victory.
Iran - who shot 50% on the game - almost led from start to finish, though Lebanon did a good job of hanging around. And although it was Iran who did a poor job of looking after the ball, Lebanon were plagued by poor outside shooting and beaten on the glass. A pushback in the third saw them pull to within six, but it would be the closest they would get the rest of the way.
Wael Arakji had 24 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and tried to lead a fourth quarter comeback, but Lebanon's defensive lapses allowed Iran to respond and keep their cushion.
KOREA over PHILIPPINES, 118-86
Box Scores.
Korea put on one of the offensive masterclasses of the FIBA Asia Cup so far with a 118-86 dismantling of the Philippines to book their spot in the Semi-Finals.
Korea shot over 66% from the field and 76% from beyond the arc, knocking down sixteen triples and registering 34 assists as nothing the Philippines could do would prevent their onslaught.
Terrence Romeo caught fire in the first half to keep Philippines within striking distance, registering 22 points on six of nine shooting from beyond the arc, but would not score again after the halftime break.
Korea were led by 22 points from Sekeun Oh, and 21 points from Sunhyung Kim, as he only missed two shot attempts.
Korea will face the winner of the Lebanon-Iran Quarter-Final, which will be played later this evening.
NEW ZEALAND over JORDAN, 98-70
Box Scores.
New Zealand have set the stage for a Semi-Final match up with Australia after defeating Jordan 98-70 in their Quarter-Final on Thursday evening.
It turned into a blowout in the fourth quarter, and though New Zealand led from start to finish, Jordan did a good job of refusing to go down without a fight.
New Zealand dominated the glass, whilst shooting almost 50% from the field led by 19 points a-piece from Tohiraukura Smith-Milner and Shea Ili, with the latter adding 13 assists, as Finn Delaney finished with 17 points and 9 rebounds for the young squad.
The deficit might have been bigger early if it wasn't for Jordan's Mah'd Abdeen being their saving grace, exploding for 20 of his 24 points in the first half whilst missing just one shot.
One final third quarter rally from Jordan saw them pull within four, that that is as close as they would get the rest of the way.
Mohammad Hussein joined Abdeen as the only other player in double figures for Jordan, with 14 points.
AUSTRALIA over CHINA, 97-71
Box Scores.
Australia have booked their place in the FIBA Asia Cup Semi-Finals with a 97-71 drubbing of China.
A 14-0 run over the final four minutes of the third period, led by Mitchell McCarron, saw Australia take a sixteen point lead into the last quarter where they would cruise for the final 26-point differential.
The second half saw the Australians tighten the screw defensively, allowing just 29 points.
Jason Cadee led Australia in scoring with 20 points, McCarron finished with 17, whilst Daniel Kickert and Mitch Creek added 16 points-a-piece.
Gen Li had 19 points to pace China.
Australia now await the winner of the New Zealand against Jordan Quarter-Final match up on Thursday evening, and will join Iran and Korea in the Semi-Finals.
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