The Tall Ferns were beaten but not bowed in the first game in the 2015 FIBA Oceania Championship Olympic Qualifying Series losing 61-41 to the Australian Opals. The Tall Ferns put up a terrific defensive display matching the rebound effort of the taller Opals but were cold from three point land (1 from 9) and only a touch warmer from the field (14 from 65), 22%.
The Tall Ferns opened up with the trusted veterans Cocks, Wallbutton and Taylor plus the young duo of Purcell and Davidson who have both impressed in recent outings.
The game was played at the impressive Rod Laver Arena in front of a capacity 15,000 crowd but they were hushed in the opening minutes as Taylor and Wallbutton gave the Tall Ferns a 4-3 advantage.
The Kiwis spurned other clear scoring opportunities that proved costly as Australia embarked on an 10-0 run before Jess Bygate converted a free throw – Australia ahead 15-5 at quarter time.
The Tall Ferns continued to give the Opals problems with their defensive effort but a shooting stat of 5 from 37 (14%) told the story at the offensive end. Despite the poor shooting the Kiwis only trailed by twelve points at half time, 29-17. Before the game coach Kennedy Kereama urged his team. “To make it a dog fight”, they were certainly doing that.
Kalani Purcell opened the Tall Ferns account in the second half with a nice baseline jump shot but the Tall Ferns cause was hampered three minutes into the third quarter when centre Penina Davidson returned to the bench having picked up her fourth foul. A Chevannah Paalvast turn around jump shot caught the eye, as did a pair of Jordan Hunter baskets in the final minute of the period but the Kiwis still trailed 50-29 with ten minutes to play.
The Tall Ferns offensive problems continued in the final period despite a triple from Taylor and more good work from the impressive Paalvast and Purcell but the energy and effort from Kereama’s team was commendable, maintained to the end and encouraging for game two on Monday.
Tall Ferns coach Kennedy Kereama lamented the shooting display.
“Keeping Australia to 61 points was a winnable game for us, I’m sure Brendan Joyce (Australian coach) wouldn’t be happy with that. Our senior players only shot 6/37, some days you male them but today wasn’t one of them.”
“We need to win the possession game but giving up 17 offensive rebounds hurt us and we need to make some adjustments for Monday.”
Kereama was pleased with a couple of individual displays.
“Chevannah Paalvast was terrific. She roles the dice sometimes but she was exceptional today. She is a very good athlete and a very good defender. Jordan Hunter was also very good, she has exceptional foot speed and was aggressive today, we may have to look at giving these players more opportunity in game two.”
“We need to make adjustments but at the end of the day we need to shoot the ball better.”
The second game in the series will be played at ASB Arena, Tauranga on Monday August 17th, tip off 7.30pm.
The winner of the two game series automatically progress to the 2016 Rio Olympics
Final score;
Tall Ferns 41 – Paalvast 7, Cocks 7, Taylor 7, Davidson 9 rebs
Australian Opals 61 – Batkovic 16, Lavey 9, Jarry 8, Talbot 8
