The U16 New Zealand Women’s team have registered a massive 95-73 win over China in their final group game of the FIBA U16 Women’s Asian Champs. Not only does this stunning victory earn the Kiwis a place in tonight’s semi-final round, it also punches them a ticket to the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup in Mexico next year.
After racing out to a 26-11 lead after the first period, the Kiwis maintained pressure on China the rest of the way, thanks to solid outside shooting (10/24 from downtown) and tight defence; using the latter to holding their opponents to 34% shooting from the field.
Pahlyss Hokianga was dominant with a 31 point, 7 assist, 5 rebound and 5 steal stat-line, as she was constantly able to break down China’s defence . Bailey Flavell (24 points, 7 rebounds, 4/5 shooting from beyond the arc) had a strong scoring game, while Waikimihia Douglas–Karauna tallied 10 points, 5 rebounds and a pair of blocks; Graecyn Parahi with 8 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, Sophia Hickey also with 8.
The game was evenly matched in the first three minutes, the score changing hands on multiple possessions as both teams showed they weren’t afraid to attack the basket. A determined New Zealand built a 12-9 lead midway through the period thanks to five points from Flavell and a triple from Hokianga; the Kiwis showing no fear against their taller China opponents.
The Kiwis soon went up 21-9 on the back of a 14-0 run; Douglas–Karauna scoring on three straight possessions followed by a Hokianga triple. In ending the period up 26-11, New Zealand went 10/16 (62%) from the field – led by Hokianga’s 10 points and 3 assists.
With China recovering from the initial shock of being down 15 after the first quarter, they sought to regain control in the second; beginning the period on a 5-0 run to start before Jennifer Mailei scored on a layup. Flavell soon sank her second triple, followed by a free throw and layup as part of a personal 6-0 run to re-establish the margin.
Both teams were on more of an even footing in the second, scoring 18 points apiece as half-time arrived with the Kiwis up 44-29. New Zealand continued to shoot well at 57% – including 4 triples at a 40% clip. Hokianga with 12 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals, Flavell with 11 (2/2 from downtown) and Douglas–Karauna with 8 and 3.
The third period began much like the first; both teams trading quick baskets in the first few minutes. Heather continued her scoring barrage with 7 points in the first 3 minutes; China resorting to double-teaming and even triple-teaming her whenever she received the ball. Another China move was to swarm New Zealand’s rebounders in an attempt to strip the ball; a tactic that ultimately resulted in China registering more fouls (a staggering 28) than generating steals.
A fiery China embarked on a 9-2 run to briefly narrow the gap to 10. But New Zealand stormed back with a 9-0 run of their own; Hokianga scoring 9 straight to bring her tally up to 30. The Kiwi’s lead soon grew to 20 (73-53) after three, their largest lead of the game.
The final quarter was never in doubt as Flavell nailed a pair of triples early in the period and Graecyn Parahi scored on a flashy and-1 layup following a steal. The lead ballooned out to 30 with 3 minutes to play, with coach Mel Bennett emptying her bench – giving Hana Paterson, Cassidy Thomson and Emma Rogers valuable minutes on the big stage. A late 7-0 run by China did little to affect the final outcome, as New Zealand registered a comfortable 95-73 outcome and a place in the Saturday semi-finals.
Next up is a semi-final clash with Australia; 8pm NZT on Saturday 15 July. Watch live at Youtube.com/FIBA
Stats:
New Zealand 80 – Hippolite 31 PTS & 7 AST & & 5 REB & 5 STL | Flavell 24 PTS & 7 REB | Douglas-Karauna 10 PTS & 5 REB | Parahi 8 PTS & 7 REB & 4 AST | Hickey 8 PTS | Mailei 5 PTS | Enriquez-Paea 4 PTS | Nelson 3 PTS | Thompson 2 PTS
Samoa 51 – J Wang 20 PTS | Huang 12 PTS | Xie 9 PTS | Liu 7 PTS & 10 REB
Box Score: http://bbnz.link/n3ytb
Quarter scores: 26-11, 44-29, 73-53, 95-73
FIBA U16 Women’s Asian Championships – NZ Draw & Results
11 July – NZL vs Japan (Lost 44-75)
12 July – Samoa vs NZL (Won 80-51)
14 July – NZL vs China (Won 95-73)
15 July – Semi-final: NZL vs Australia, 8pm NZT Sat 15 July. Watch at http://nz.basketball/tv
FIBA U16 Women’s Asian Championship Squad – NZ
Waikimihia Douglas-Karauna, Rotorua Basketball Association
Rica-Chanel Enriquez-Paea, NZ
Bailey Flavell, Harbour Basketball
Sophia Hickey, NZ
Keriana Hippolite, NZ
Pahlyss Hokianga, Basketball Hawkes Bay
Jennifer Mailei, NZ
Anaiya Nelson, Waikato Basketball
Graecyn Parahi, Basketball Hawkes Bay
Hana Paterson, Waikato Basketball
Emma Rogers, Tauranga City Basketball
Cassidy Thomson, NZ
