The 2degrees Tall Ferns have fallen to hosts Mexico 64-71 tonight in a heart-breaking loss, dropping to 0-2 at the FIBA World Cup Pre-Qualifiers in Mexico City.
After taking an 11 point lead into the half – thanks to an impressive 26-9 quarter by the Kiwis – Mexico rallied in the second half to secure their second win in as many games. They were led by Gabriela Jaquez and her 22 points, with the Mexicans hitting seven triples in the second half after making only one in the first.
New Zealand were led by 14 points & 6 rebounds from Tera Reed, while Ritorya Tamilo had another strong game with 13 points & 8 rebounds. Penina Davidson had 9 points, 6 rebounds & 4 assists, with Ella Fotu adding 8 and Esra McGoldrick 6.
After some early back and forth in the first, a 10-0 run by Mexico put them up 20-11 with less than two minutes left in the period. New Zealand responded with a 12-0 run of their own early in the second quarter; the Kiwis piling on the points in the period to the tune of 26-9. That first half saw Tera Reed rack up 10 points, as New Zealand hit 5 of 10 triples – including two each from Fotu and McGoldrick.
Scoring was harder to come by for both teams in the third; Mexico outscoring the Kiwis 15-11 in the period behind the increasingly raucous home crowd. The final quarter saw Mexico tie the game up early, before a 7-0 run from New Zealand – capped by a Dale triple – gave the Kiwis a seven point lead with five minutes remaining.
Undaunted, Mexico executed well down the stretch, going on a 10-0 that included a pair of tough triples to seal the win and move to 2-0 in the tournament.
Following the game, 2dgerees Tall Ferns Coach, Natalie Hurst says that Mexico made all the big plays down the stretch to secure a gutsy win.
“Credit to Mexico tonight; we got out-hustled – especially down the stretch when big plays needed to happen – and they made them, so credit to them,” says Hurst.
“I think losing Tera when we did [to injury], she was our energy, she was getting to the rim and making things happen. So that was a huge loss for us; if we could’ve gotten more minutes out of her then maybe the result might’ve been different for us.”
The Tall Ferns will play their final pool game tomorrow, facing Mozambique at 11.30am NZT.
Stats:
New Zealand 64 – Reed 9 PTS & 6 REB | Tamilo 13 PTS & 8 REB | Davidson 9 PTS & 6 REB | Fotu 8 PTS | McGoldrick 6 PTS | Hokianga 5 PTS | Dale 3 PTS | Tofaeono 2 PTS & 5 REB | L. Whittaker 2 PTS | C. Whittaker 2 PTS & 5 REB
Mexico 71 – Jaquez 22 PTS | & 8 REB | Martinez 16 PTS | Lara 10 PTS & 13 REB
Quarter scores: 14-20, 40-29, 51-44, 64-71
Full box score: https://bbnz.link/WCPQ_NZLvMEX
FIBA Women’s World Cup Pre-Qualifier 2024, Mexico
Tuesday 20 August, 11.30am NZT – Montenegro vs New Zealand (lost 64-88)
Thursday 22 August, 2.30pm NZT – New Zealand vs Mexico (lost 64-71)
Friday 23 August, 11.30am NZT – Mozambique vs New Zealand
2degrees Tall Ferns Squad of 12, FIBA Women’s World Cup Pre-Qualifier 2024
McKenna Dale, Whai (Tauihi)
Penina Davidson, Keilor Thunder (NBL1) / Northern Kahu (Tauihi)
Bailey Flavell, Harbour Basketball Association
Ella Fotu, Perth Eastern Suns (NBL1)
Pahlyss Hokianga, Basketball Hawkes Bay
Esra McGoldrick, Casey Cavaliers (NBL1) / Mainland Pouakai (Tauihi)
Tera Reed, Keilor Thunder (NBL1)
Ashlee Strawbridge, West Adelaide Bearcats (NBL1)
Ritorya Tamilo, University of Hawaii (US)
Ella Tofaeono, Townsville Flames (NBL1) / UC Pirates (WNBL)
Charlotte Whittaker, South West Metro Pirates (NBL1)
Lauren Whittaker, Gonzaga University (US)
