The Tall Blacks have picked up their 10th straight win in FIBA World Cup qualifying, coming away with a 69-67 victory over Lebanon in Beirut.
Tom Abercrombie starred for the Tall Blacks, top scoring with 19 points, while Finn Delany had 16 as the pair put a poor season with the Breakers behind them.
After a hard fought opening quarter that saw the Kiwis lead 16-13, the Tall Blacks held off a spirited Lebanon to take a 37-30 advantage into the break.
However, Lebanon weren't going to die wondering, beginning the third quarter with an 8-2 run, before seeing scores locked at 52-apiece with a 22-15 period.
The Tall Blacks would keep their composure though, with Abercrombie sinking a three-pointer late in the final quarter, before scrambling on defence to dispossess Lebanon centre Ater Majok to complete a nervy win.
The win sees the Tall Blacks' FIBA qualifying record move to 10-1, meaning a top two finish in their pool and guaranteeing a top two seeding out of the Asian confederation for this year's World Cup in China.
The Tall Blacks' final World Cup qualifier comes away to Jordan on Monday morning NZT.
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