New Zealand 3x3 Basketballers Secure Semifinal Spot in Glasgow

GLASGOW — New Zealand’s 3x3 basketball campaign has moved into the medal rounds at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games following a decisive performance by Te Tuhi Lewis on Tuesday. The Kiwi squad secured their place in the semifinals after defeating Singapore 21-15 in a high-stakes play-in encounter. Reported by RNZ sports journalist Grant Chapman, the match reached a climax when Lewis drove aggressively to the basket to score the winning point, sealing the victory and confirming the team's advancement. The New Zealand side remained composed throughout the match, using a late two-pointer to pull within reach of the win before Lewis finished the game with the final layup. The victory sets up a challenging semifinal clash against defending champions England, scheduled for Wednesday. The momentum from the basketball court added to a successful day for the New Zealand contingent at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre and beyond. In other highlights from day four and five in Glasgow, the Kiwi team celebrated a silver medal win by weightlifter Cam McTaggart in the 88kg division. The achievement was marked by a haka celebration, reflecting the strong cultural presence and support within the athlete village and competition venues. Additional prospects for the New Zealand team include Olivia Selemaia, who is preparing for the women’s 69kg weightlifting division as a strong medal contender. Meanwhile, Lewis Clareburt and Erika Fairweather continue to lead the charge in the pool, with Clareburt having already secured gold in the 200m butterfly before turning his focus to the 400m medley.