New Zealand have finished 12th at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup in Mexico, after losing 62-59 to Egypt in their final game of the tournament. The placing equals that achieved in New Zealand’s two previous appearances at the U17 World Cup.
The game was decided in an exciting fourth quarter, when the lead changed hands or was tied on eight occasions – with Bailey Flavell’s last gasp three-point attempt to level the scores rimming out.
Despite trailing 55-51 mid-way through the last period, New Zealand worked their way into a winning position through scores from the North Harbour duo of Kodee Williams-Sefo and Flavell; a tough make in traffic from Williams-Sefo giving the Ferns a 59-57 lead with three minutes to play.
Unfortunately the Kiwis couldn’t make another basket down the stretch, while in contrast Egypt secured the win with a banked three and a pair of free-throws.
Bailey Flavell once again led the New Zealand scoring with 16 points; taking her tournament tally to 132 at 18.9 points per game and finish amongst the top three scorers at the World Cup. Sophia Hickey had her most productive outing of the championship with 13 points and 6 rebounds, Williams-Sefo had 11 points and 9 rebounds while Pahlyss Hokianga dished a game-high 10 assists to go with 6 points and 5 steals.
Playing their seventh game in nine days, both teams were naturally a little weary and the shooting numbers reflected that. The Kiwis shot 34% (21/61) from the field and 24% (6/25) from beyond the arc. Egypt were a fraction better, converting 36% (24/67) from the field and 30% (8/27) from deep. The rebounding count was tied at 40 apiece; the turnover count was also even with Egypt giving up 22 possessions and New Zealand 24.
Triples from Flavell, Williams-Sefo and Waikimihia Douglas-Karauna propelled New Zealand to a 14-6 lead in the first period; although Egypt scored the last five points of the quarter, a further three from Gia Vukona and 6 points from Hickey sent the Kiwis to the first break with a 23-17 lead.
The scoring slowed in the second period, although a brace of transition baskets from Williams-Sefo and a three from Hickey gave New Zealand a 34-23 lead. Again Egypt finished the spell strongly; a Hokianga score ensuring New Zealand had the lead at half-time – their advantage 36-29.
Hickey took her tally into double figures early in the third quarter before Egypt closed to within four points (38-34). After Keriana-Marie Hippolite became the sixth New Zealand player to make a three, Egypt went on a 9-0 run to take the lead.
Flavell then made a quartet of free-throws (making a perfect 9 from 9 in the contest) but the Kiwis were outscored 14-9 in the quarter and only led 45-43 at the three-quarter break.
That exciting fourth period ensued with New Zealand, outscored 33-23 in the second half, coming up just short.
Stats:
New Zealand 59 – Flavell 16 PTS & 7 REB | Hickey 13 PTS & 6 REB | Williams-Sefo 11 PTS & 9 REB |Hokianga 6 PTS & 10 AST & 5 STL |Hippolite 5 PTS | Douglas-Karauna 3 PTS | Vukona 3 PTS | Parahi 2 PTS
Egypt 62 – K Abouelghait 19 PTS |Y Ahmed 11 PTS
Box Score: bbnz.link/U17WWC_NZLvEGY
Quarter Scores: 23-17, 13-12, 9-14, 14-19
FIBA U7 Women’s World Cup – New Zealand Schedule and Results
NZL v Italy – LOST 63-71
NZL v Mexico – WON 98-81
NZL v Mali – WON 84-47
NZL v Finland – LOST 78-55
NZL v Puerto Rico – WON 79-76
NZL v Chinese Taipei – LOST 70-66
NZL v Egypt – LOST 62-59
NZ Women’s U17 Squad at FIBA U17 World Cup
Waikimihia Douglas-Karauna, Rotorua Basketball Association
Chanel Enriquez-Paea, Gold Coast Rollers (NBL1)
Bailey Flavell, Harbour Basketball Association
Olivia Hastings, Norths Bears (NBL1)
Sophia Hickey, DME Academy
Keriana-Marie Hippolite, Brisbane Capitals (NBL1)
Pahlyss Hokianga, Basketball Hawkes Bay
Taia McMechan, Nunawading Spectres (NBL1)
Graecyn Parahi, Basketball Hawkes Bay
Cassidy Thomson, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (AUS)
Kodee Williams-Sefo, Harbour Basketball Association
Gia Vukona, Southern District Spartans (NBL1)
