New Zealand were defeated 83-49 by Slovenia in a 9th-12th classification tie at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup in Hungary on Saturday night.
The slick passing European team – enjoying plenty of travelling support – proved too strong for the Kiwis, who struggled to back up their stirring victory against Argentina 24 hours earlier.
The Canterbury duo of Ivy Brown (2/3FG, 9/11 FT) and Karereatua Williams (6/9FG) scored 13 points apiece for the Kiwis, Layla Cameron next best with six points.
Brown made a couple of free-throws and Cameron a pair of layups as New Zealand made a bright start to the contest. However, they would give up 13 straight points before Williams broke the Slovenian run; 28-11 the quarter-time deficit.
Brown again opened the Kiwi scoring in the second period – Wai Clarken made a score as the Slovenia lead stretched beyond twenty points – 48-21 the half-time Slovenian lead.
Cameron went coast-to-coast for the second half opener, her pass then finding Lily Taulelei for the open layup soon after – Slovenia held scoreless for close to five minutes by the willing New Zealand defence.
Brown hit the double figure mark and Carly Ohia scored inside – New Zealand had enjoyed a better spell but still trailed 62-33 at three-quarter-time.
Williams was all business in the fourth, making 11 of the team’s 16 points in the frame – her spirited response epitomising the ‘never give up’ attitude of the Kiwis.
In their final game at the 2022 World’s New Zealand will face Egypt in an 11th-12th classification game on Sunday.
New Zealand 49 – Williams 13 PTS | Brown 13 PTS & 6 REB | Cameron 6 PTS | Taulelei 4 PTS | Jones 3 PTS & 3 STL | Lacey-Rameka 3 PTS | Clarken 2 PTS | Ohia 2 PTS | Rean 2 PTS | Pateman 1 PT
Slovenia 83 – A Zitek 23
Full fixtures and statistics can be found here.
New Zealand Schedule: (times given are local in New Zealand)
- Sat 9 July vs Germany –– (L 68-35)
- Sun 10 July vs USA – (L 102-34)
- Tues 12 July vs Mali – (W 61-58)
- Weds 13 July vs Canada – (L 70-36)
- Fri 15 July vs Argentina – (W 65-58)
- Sat 16 July vs Slovenia – (L 83-49) – Re-watch at nz.basketball/tv
- Sun 17 July vs Egypt – (1.00am Monday) – watch at nz.basketball/tv
U17 Women’s National Team Roster
Ivy Brown – North Canterbury
Layla J Cameron – New Zealand
Waimanu Clarken – Basketball Auckland
Maia Jones – Nelson Basketball
Cassidy Lacey-Rameka – Rotorua Basketball Association
Tannika Leger-Walker – Waikato Basketball
Carly Ohia – Rotorua Basketball Association
Amy-Lee Pateman – Harbour Basketball
Ashlyn Rean – North Canterbury
Ritorya Tamilo – Basketball Auckland
Lily Taulelei – Wellington Basketball Association
Karereatua Williams – Canterbury
Head Coach – Lori McDaniel
Assistant Coach – Pina Lissaman
Assistant Coach – Ryan Dubbledam
Team Manager – Jemma Lawton
Physio – Kylie Cox
Team Doctor – Dr Kaylie Baker
About The FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2022
The FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2022 features the world’s top 16 women’s U17 national team with 56 games played across 9 days from July 9-17 in Debrecen, Hungary.
As event hosts, Hungary gained automatic entry. The remaining 15 teams qualified through regional U16 championships with 2 from Africa, 5 from Europe, 4 from the Americas, and 4 from Asia – with New Zealand earning their place after securing a spot in the recent FIBA U16 Asian Championship.
