Tahlia Tupaea stars as Tall Ferns move onto knockout stage of Fiba Asia Cup [Video]

At State Sports Centre, Sydney: Tall Ferns 76 (Tahlia Tupaea 20, Charlisse Leger-Walker 19, Penina Davidson 13) Lebanon 45 (Trinity Baptiste 11) 1Q: 17-6, HT: 39-17, 3Q: 55-29.

The Tall Ferns are moving onto the knockout stage at the Fiba women’s Asia Cup.

Led by a standout showing by new addition Tahlia Tupaea, New Zealand crushed Lebanon 76-45 in Sydney on Wednesday to clinch their place in the next phase.

Depending on Wednesday’s other results, the Tall Ferns will likely face the third qualifier from Group B on Friday (either Chinese Taipei or the Philippines, who meet later on Wednesday).

Win that and they’ll be into Saturday’s semifinals – for the first time in four appearances at the Asia Cup.

A top four finish gives the Tall Ferns the opportunity to proceed through the Olympic qualification pathway, where they can play in a future …