Junior Tall Blacks edge Australia

The Junior Tall Blacks will contest next July's under-19 basketball world championships in Egypt after edging Australia 57-51 to win the Oceania age group title in Suva on Saturday.

The New Zealanders went undefeated through the Oceania championship, their winning streak built around a solid defensive effort and an MVP-winning performance from skipper Quinn Clinton in the final.

With the lead see-sawing throughout much of the game, Clinton nailed two three-pointers in the dying stages to secure the win.

He finished the final with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Sam Waardenburg also featured with 11 points and 12 rebounds and both were named in the tournament team.

The Kiwis will be contesting their second under-19 world championship after hosting the event in 2009.

Australia crushed the Junior Tall Ferns 107-52 in the women's final.