The New Zealand junior mens basketball team has become the first New Zealand age group team to qualify for a World Championship after winning the Oceania Championship.
The Junior Tall Blacks beat Australia 57-51 in the Oceania final in Fiji.
Quinn Clinton in action for the Rams. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The side will now head to Cairo next for the FIBA Under 19 World Championships
With the game on a knife edge Quinn Clinton landed two threes in the final 90 seconds as the New Zealanders twice came from behind.
After Australia missed a couple of scoring opportunities Taane Samuel iced the game with a pair of free throws to set off wild celebrations amongst the New Zealand team and supporters.
Basketball New Zealand Chief Executive Iain Potter described the victory as, "A great achievement by the team and the coaching staff and an historic moment for New Zealand basketball. The win once again highlights the enormous amount of talent that we have emerging from our national and local development programmes."
Clinton top scored with 14 points, while Samuel had 11.
The captain of the squad, Clinton was rewarded for his play during the gold medal match by being named the match Most Valuable Player.
Australia beat New Zealand 107-52 in the junior women's final.
