Iran only undefeated team in William Jones Cup

Four matches were held on the fourth day of the FIBA's William Jones Basketball Cup on Tuesday in Taiwan during which Iranian national basketball team defeated New Zealand’s Wellington Saints to gain their fourth victory in a row being the only undefeated team in the competitions.

In the match held at the Xinchuang Gymnasium, New Taipei City, Iran defeated Wellington 83-70.

Hamed Haddadi led Iran with 17 points and Bryan Davis and Kevin Braswell had 12 points each for New Zealand’s Wellington Saints.

Now coached by Dirk Bauermann, the former Germany and Poland coach, Iran had previously cruised to a 77-46 triumph over Korea on Saturday with Mohammad Jamshidi pouring in 13 points and veteran point guard Mahdi Kamrani adding 10.

The Iranians, winners of three of the last four FIBA Asia Championships, then cruised to two other wins over the Chinese Taipei B and Japan teams.

The 4th day games' scores were as follows:

Philippines 85 - Spartak Primorye Russia 71

Iran 83 - Wellington Saints New Zealand 70

South Korea 94 - Overtake USA Pro Select United States 80

Taiwan A 84 – Taiwan B 69

Iran basketball team, who are preparing for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, will play USA’s Select-Overtake today.

The 5th day game’s schedule is as follows:

Iran - Overtake USA Pro Select United States

Japan - Philippines

South Korea - Wellington Saints New Zealand

Spartak Primorye Russia – Taiwan B

Iran have got a new look with Bauermann having taken the helm.

The team captured its third Asian title in 2013 when Memi Becirovic was coach and then took part in last year's FIBA Basketball World Cup with the Slovenian still in charge.

Iran did not progress from the Group Phase but did have some impressive moments at the tournament, where they played heavyweights Spain, Serbia, France and Brazil.

Among the sides they will compete against in Group A at the FIBA Asia Championship in Changsha, China, are Japan, Malaysia and India.

The tournament will run from 23 September to 5 October with the winner clinching a spot in the Rio de Janeiro Games.