Despite a stirring comeback in erasing a 20 point deficit, New Zealand were eventually defeated 77-67 by Chinese Taipei in their semi-final play-in tie at the FIBA U18 Asian Championship in Bengaluru, India on Friday.
Down 27-9 at quarter time, it was the team in the black singlet who grabbed the momentum early in the second with a 16-4 surge – 6 points each from Lilly Parke and Mackenzie Chatfield.
With Maddie Morrow draining a three, the deficit was back to five before Taipei had the final say of the first half to lead 42-34 at the interval.
It was basket for basket in the early stages of the third period before New Zealand closed the quarter in style. Scores from Aria Cowley, Sydney Neale and Jyordanna Davey meant the game was tied at 54 points apiece. Although Taipei scored on the final play of the quarter, it had been a terrific fight back from the Kiwis winning the quarter 20-14.
Taipei took their advantage to 6 points in the opening minutes of the fourth but the Kiwis rallied again – a Florence Dallow layup from a Neale pass tying the game (62-62) with 6 minutes to play.
It was still a one possession game inside the final four minutes but the energy put into the comeback seemed to take its toll on the Kiwis, as they were outscored 10-4 in the closing three minutes.
Cowley (16 points), Chatfield (12 points) and Parke (10 points) were the leading scorers for the Kiwis but all the players can be proud of the resilience displayed after falling behind by such a large margin.
Chinese Taipei advance to take on Australia in the semi-finals ,with this defeat bringing the curtain down on New Zealand’s aspirations to claim a top four finish – and with it a place at the 2023 U19 World Championship.
New Zealand now face a rematch with Korea in Saturday’s 5th/6th play-off game, with this contest concluding the Junior Tall Fern’s involvement at the U18 Asian Championship.
New Zealand 67 Chinese Taipei 77
New Zealand: Cowley 16 PTS & 4 STEALS | Chatfield 12 PTS & 7 REBS | Parke 10 PTS
Taipei: Yu Wen Hsiao 20 Jui Chen Sung 18
New Zealand Schedule: (times given are local in New Zealand).
Tuesday 6 September LOST 81-64 v Korea
Wednesday 7 September LOST 111-44 v Australia
Thursday 8 September WON 66-63 v India
Friday 9 September Semi-Final Play-in, LOST 77-67 v Chinese Taipei
Saturday 10 September 5th/6th play-off v Korea (8.00pm tip-off)
The Asian Championship doubles as a qualifying tournament for the 2023 FIBA U19 World Championship. The top four teams in India qualify for the World Championship in Madrid, Spain in July 2023.
All games will be shown live via https://nz.basketball/tv/
Links to the streaming, rosters, statistics and live stats can be found here: https://www.fiba.basketball/asia/u18awomen/2022
NZ U18 Women’s National Team
Maia Chandler – Waikato Basketball
Mackenzie Chatfield – Harbour Basketball
Aria Cowley – Waikato Basketball
Florence Dallow – Harbour Basketball
Jyordanna Davey – Hutt Valley Basketball
Kate Herman – Canterbury Basketball
Allyah Leusogi-Ape – Basketball Auckland
Maddie Morrow – Canterbury Basketball
Sydney Neale – Waikato Basketball
Lilly Parke – Basketball Auckland
Lauren Tewhata – Wellington Basketball Association
Vitolia Tuilave – Waitakere West Auckland Basketball
Selected but unavailable due to injury: Alana Paewai – Waikato Basketball
Staff
Head Coach – Natalie Visger
Assistant Coach – Shay Haira
Assistant Coach – Liam Connelly
Team Manager – Katherine Wills
Physio – Shannon Spicer
Team Doctor – Jamie Lockyer
