The Bendigo Spirit versus Melbourne Boomers Australian Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) fixture at the weekend was a first for New Zealand basketball.
As reported last month seven Kiwis, all Tall Ferns, are playing in the 2020 WNBL.
On Saturday all seven players were involved in the same game, the most New Zealand players to take part in a single WNBL game.
The result was not a surprise with third placed Melbourne (7-3) defeating cellar dwellers Bendigo (0-11) 84-52.
All five Tall Ferns in the Boomers line-up featured, led by centre Penina Davidson who tallied a season high in points (15) and rebounds (7).
Starters Kalani Purcell and Ash Karaitiana scored 9 points and 8 points respectively whilst Stella Beck compiled a stats line of 8 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.
Toni Farnworth didn’t put a shot up in her 14 minutes but did conjure up 3 assists.
The Boomers New Zealand connection is completed by Guy Molloy who is of course the Sky Sport Tall Ferns Head Coach.
For Bendigo Spirit Chev Paalvast and Mary Goulding made 4 points apiece.
The Boomers are next in action on Tuesday December 8 against Adelaide Lightning whilst the Spirit will also match up against the Lightning the following night.
All WNBL games can be viewed on the FIBA Basketball Channel on YouTube.
