The New Zealand U17 Men’s team have defeated hosts Papua New Guinea 108-32 in their opening game at the FIBA U17 Oceania Championships in Port Moresby on Tuesday.
New Zealand enjoyed scoring contributions from all eleven players, and set the tone for a convincing win with 32 points in the opening quarter.
The New Zealand scoring was led by Kahuranaki Treacher and Carter Hopoi who both threatened double-doubles. Both players corralled 8 rebounds with Treacher scoring 22 points (8/12FG) and Hopoi 18 – including a couple of thundering dunks.
Also in double figures were Ryan Hunt with 14 points (plus 7 rebounds), Mahnaye Heke made 12 points and Julius Halaifonua 10 points. Canterbury’s Tamatoa Isaac orchestrated proceedings with 7 assists to accompany 5 points.
For PNG Alan Millard scored their first seven points and ended up with 12 while Ryan Beerwald was next best with 6 points.
Nick Book sat out the game with an injury but, using their height advantage, New Zealand were still able to dominate the boards 58-27, picking up 18 off the offensive glass in the process.
New Zealand made 35 from 49 (71%) of their 2-point attempts but will look to improve their 3-point shooting as the tournament progresses having converted just 8 from 32 at 25% against PNG.
The New Zealand defence held their hosts to just 11 made field goals and created 27 turnovers.
Just 48-hours after arriving in the country New Zealand showed few signs of rustiness or lethargy as they raced to a 32-7 quarter-time lead with all five starters – Eagle, Treacher, Hopoi, Heke and Isaac – contributing points.
The Kiwis scored the first 16 points of the second period to take full control of the contest and closed out the first half with a 58-14 advantage. Forwards Eagle and Hopoi led the way for the Kiwis with 10 points apiece at the interval.
PNG made ten points in the third quarter but it was another stanza dominated by New Zealand as they carried an 88-24 lead into the final ten minutes.
The New Zealand scoring slowed in the fourth quarter although their lead still stretched beyond 70-points.
New Zealand take on Australia tomorrow night (Wednesday) from 10.00pm NZT. Watch live at: www.youtube.com/fiba
Stats:
New Zealand 108 – Treacher 22 PTS & 8 REBS | Hopoi 18 PTS & 8 REBS | Heke 12 PTS | Hunt 12 PTS | Halaifonua 10 PTS | Eagle 8 PTS | Isaac 7 PTS & 7 ASSISTS | Wharepapa 6 PTS Wyllie 5 PTS | Blight 4 PTS | Christof 4 PTS |
PNG 32 – Millard 12 PTS | Beerwald 6 PTS
Box Score: http://bbnz.link/U17MNZLvPNG
Quarter scores: 32-7, 58-14, 88-24, 108-32
FIBA U17 Men’s Oceania Championships – NZ Results
3 Oct – NZL vs PNG (WON 108-32)
4 Oct – NZL vs Australia, 10pm NZT
5 Oct – NZL vs Samoa, 5.30pm, NZT
6 Oct – NZL v Guam 4.30pm NZT
U17 Oceania Champs – NZ U17 Men’s Squad
- William Blight, Nelson Basketball
- Nicholas Book, Canterbury Basketball
- Christopher Christof, Otago Basketball
- Ezrah Eagle, Basketball Hawkes Bay
- Julius Halaifonua, NBA Academy/ Harbour Basketball
- Mahnaya Heke, Waikato Basketball Association
- Carter Hopoi, Tauranga City Basketball
- Ryan Hunt, Waitakere
- Tamatoa Isaac, Canterbury Basketball
- Kahuranaki Treacher, Team Takeover National
- Manaia-Ariki Wharepapa, Canterbury Basketball
- Joshua Wyllie, Harbour Basketball
Xanda Marsters (Rotorua Basketball Association) was originally selected but forced to withdraw due to injury.
