Webster?s Play Helps New Zealand to Third-Place Finish

Behind the play of Tai Webster, New Zealand bounced back from a loss to Lithuania to post a 90-84 win over host China in the third-place game of the 2016 Atlas Games.

Webster, a 6-foot-4 guard who is a rising senior at Nebraska, finished in double figures for the fourth time in the tournament with 12 points on 3-of-6 shooting from the field, along with going a perfect 6-of-6 from the line. He also grabbed six rebounds and dished out a pair of assists, as the team finished with a 4-1 record during the competition.

Despite being the youngest player on New Zealand’s 12-man roster, Webster’s experience and leadership proved critical as the team had to withstand a 40-minute delay to start the game, an early double-figure deficit and constant foul trouble as three players, including Webster, eventually fouled out.

“Tai Webster’s leadership of the group, even early on when things weren’t going well he was leading well,” New Zealand Coach Paul Henare said. “I did see a more conscious effort from the guys to what we are trying to achieve, there were definite improvements from yesterday to today.”

Webster, who had just seven points and three rebounds in Saturday’s loss, helped New Zealand shoot 58 percent from the field and enjoy a 38-21 advantage on the glass on Sunday.

During the five games in the Atlas Challenge, Webster averaged 11.8 ppg on 54 percent shooting along with 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 2.0 assists per game. Webster also went 17-of-17 from the line during tournament competition.

New Zealand will travel to Latvia for a pair of games against Iran (June 26) and Latvia (June 27) before a rematch with Lithuania on June 29 in the team’s final tune-up for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.