Day 3 of the FIBA U17 Oceania Champs in Papua New Guinea, saw the Junior Tall Ferns slip to a second defeat in as many days – going down 81-72 to a strong Australia side.
Despite the loss, the Kiwis put together a thoroughly more convincing performance than that displayed in the loss to Samoa 24 hours earlier. New Zealand trailed by just four points six minutes into the third and were still within eight points, after a pair of Kavanah Lene baskets, with three minutes remaining.
Australia were able to close out the win but New Zealand coach Josh Thompson will be encouraged by his team’s display.
Elise Gilbert led the New Zealand scoring with 16 points, making 6/8 from the field and 4/5 free throws, while also contributing 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Tannika Leger-Walker scored 14 while Lene was also in double figures with 11 points. There were also strong contributions from Rebecca Moors (8 points) and Kaelani Albert-Neha (7 points).
For Australia, Saffron Shiels (19 points and 12 rebounds) and Lara Somfai (15 points and 16 rebounds) were outstanding, while Monique Bobongie chimed in with 10 points.
The Kiwis, led by Leger-Walker, made a strong start to the game. The Waikato guard made her first four scoring attempts to carry New Zealand to a 12-5 lead.
The Hamilton Girls High duo of Albert-Neha and Gilbert continued the New Zealand scoring as they led 23-22 deep into the opening stanza before Australia scored the last five points of the frame to lead 29-25 at the first break.
Lene scored the first basket of the second period and Carline knocked down a free-throw, before Australia grabbed the initiative with a 9-0 run. A Waiheke Kohunui triple reduced the margin to 11 points (43-33) before Australia again finished the period on the front foot to lead 48-33 at half-time.
The second half started in the same vein as the first; Leger-Walker to the fore making seven points to reduce the Australia lead to single digits. A Moors triple made it 52-46 at the mid-point of the third, then Gilbert’s free throws reduced it to a 4 point game.
Australia stretched their lead to 64-52 at three-quarter time but the Kiwis refused to yield and pushed the Aussies all the way to the final whistle.
Australia boasted five players at 6’2” (188cm) or taller – compared with New Zealand’s sole six-footer in Rebecca Moors – and as a result they dominated both inside and on the boards. The Aussies won the overall rebounding count 59-32 with 29 offensive rebounds in that tally yet surprisingly, given those numbers, only bettered New Zealand 42-36 with points in the paint.
New Zealand will be pleased to have bettered Australia in the two key shooting numbers. They were superior from the 3-point arc making 24% compared with Australia’s 17% while the 2-point shooting also favoured the Kiwis; 55% to 39%.
New Zealand take on hosts Papua New Guinea tomorrow night (Thursday) from 7.45pm NZT. It is a must win game for the Junior Tall Ferns if they are to keep their dream of playing in the 2024 FIBA U18 Asian Championships alive.
Watch live at: www.youtube.com/fiba
Stats:
New Zealand 72 – Gilbert 16 PTS, 6 REB & 4 AST | Leger-Walker 14 PTS | Lene 11 PTS & 5 REB | Moors 8 PTS | Albert-Neha 7 PTS | Kohunui 5 PTS | Lassey 4 PTS & 4 AST | Pavihi 4 PTS | Carline 3 PTS
Australia 81 – Shiels 19 PTS & 12 REB | Somfai 15 PTS &16 REB | Bobongie 10 PTS
Box Score: http://bbnz.link/U17WNZLvAUS
Quarter scores: 29-25, 48-33, 64-52, 81-72
FIBA U17 Women’s Oceania Championships – NZ Results
3 Oct – NZL vs Samoa (LOST 59-74)
4 Oct – NZL vs Australia, 7.45pm NZT (LOST 72-81)
5 Oct – NZL vs Papua New Guinea, 7.45pm, NZT
U17 Oceania Champs – NZ U17 Women’s Squad
- Kaelani Albert-Neha, Waikato Basketball
- Arna Bright, Taranaki Basketball
- Elise Carline, Basketball Otago
- Elise Gilbert, Waikato basketball
- Katie Harrington, Outside of NZ
- Waiheke Kohunui, Rotorua Basketball
- Olivia Lassey, Tauranga City Basketball
- Tannika Leger-Walker, Waikato Basketball
- Kavanah Lene, Canterbury Basketball
- Rebecca Moors, Harbour Basketball
- Tia Pavihi, Wellington Basketball
- Annika Scott, Outside NZ
- Amy Pateman was selected for this squad but withdrew due to injury
