The three-point shooting of Argentine guard Matias Nocedal, who hit 4-of-8 shots from distance and finished with 21 points, guided the FIBA Americas champions to a tense win in front of a racous crowd of 2000 on Auckland’s North Shore.

Starting shooting guard Brook Ruscoe scored a game-high 22 points, while centre Rob Loe, playing in front of his home crowd, dropped in 15 points and collected six rebounds.

Trailing by two points with 17.3 seconds remaining, the JTBs were forced to foul four straight times to send the Argentinians to the free-throw stripe.

On Argentina’s four inbounds, New Zealand point guard Logan van Beek collected a steal, passing ahead to forward Morgan Nathan, in the game because Loe had rolled his ankle, but a travel call with 3.7 seconds remaining denied them a shot at a game-winning shot.

The Kiwis again fouled quickly, putting Cristian Cortes at the line. He made the first and intentionally missed the second, with time expiring as JTBs captain Dion Prewster corralled the loose ball.

“It’s very tough to take a loss like that right at the end,” Prewster said. “We’re all so disappointed right now.”

“A lot of people didn’t think we could do much, so I think we showed them that we can compete. And now we have to come back tomorrow against Croatia and forget about this one.”

With the NZ juniors tightening the defensive screws on the Argentinians a monumental upset seemed on the cards, even with New Zealand down one, 65-64, after a pair of van Beek freebies with 17.3 to play.

“We’re all gutted,” said Ruscoe, who went 7-of-11 from the field, 3-of-6 on three-point attempts and 5-of-5 from the foul-line.

“But there’s still the part of us that is thinking that’s the best team in the Americas, they beat the USA, and for us to come out and pretty much lose it ourselves, is tough.

“Even with a win or the loss, we have to forget about it and come out tomorrow and get a big win.”

Prewster finished the game with seven points, eight rebounds, three steals and three blocks in a complete performance for the Kiwis, who shot 47 percent from the floor and were out-rebounded 37-30.

For Argentina, who struggled with the Kiwis zone defence throughout the game, Luciano Gonzalez backed-up Nocedal with 12 points. The Argies shot a lesser percentage but thanks to 18 offensive rebounds were able to torch the home side for 20 second chance points, although only five came in the second half.

In a third quarter of mini-runs, New Zealand scored six straight points to go up 41-34 with 7:15 to run in the period. Argentina answered with seven straight points to level the scores, before the Kiwis scored the next six points gain the edge going into the final quarter.

The JTBs started nervously, getting their first points coming from a Loe drive and dunk. Argentina led for much of the first quarter, New Zealand taking their first lead at 14-13 with 1:21 to play in the period.

Argentina continued to hold their lead early in the second quarter before Ruscoe and Loe stepped up, the Kiwis going on a 12-4 run to end the half, keyed by eight straight points from Ruscoe, including a pair of threes.

The Kiwis shot 55 percent (16/29) from the field, while the Argentinians shot a low 34 percent (13/38). Argentina also rebounded the hosts 20-12 in the first half, capitalising with 13 second chance points.

FIBA U19 World Championship

Thursday, July 2

Group D

New Zealand Junior Tall Blacks 64 (Brook Ruscoe 22, Rob Loe 15) Argentina 66 (Matias Nocedal 21, Luciano Gonzalez 12)
1Q: 16-17
HT: 35-31 (19-14)
3Q: 49-46 (14-15)
FT: 64-66 (15-20)