The 2degrees Tall Ferns have fallen 39-94 to a clinical France in their third and final game of the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers in Xi’an, China.
With New Zealand reduced to ten players due to injury – key starter Tera Reed and Dale McKenna forced to sit this one out – the world 7th-ranked France came out firing in the first half, playing suffocating defence on the young Tall Ferns while 64% from the field. A fatigued New Zealand managed to hold France to 33 points in the second half while scoring 22 of their own, but the Kiwis fell to their third loss in three games.
Esra McGoldrick led the Tall Ferns with 10 points – her third straight game in double figures – and 6 rebounds, while Tayla Dalton was a sparkplug with 9 points on 4-6 shooting from the field. Amy West added 6 off the bench, Stella Beck with 5 and Lauren Whittaker added 4 points, as New Zealand shot just 30% and committed 30 turnovers against a relentless French defence.
The Tall Ferns had no answer for French guard Gabby Williams, who scored 13 of her team’s first 17 points on 6-6 shooting; Williams finishing with 21 on the night. Dominique Malonga added 13 while centre Iliana Rupert registered 10 points and 5 boards; France outrebounding the Kiwis 40-28 and dominating all facets of the game – particularly on the fast break (32 points vs 2 for NZL) and points off turnovers (37 points against the Tall Fern’s 6).
Although France are already assured of an Olympic spot as the hosts, their unbeaten run at this Olympic Qualifier – including a 32-point win over world no.2 ranked China – should see them heading to Paris in July as a medal favourite.
Reflecting back on this game and the qualifying tournament, Tall Ferns coach Guy Molloy says that the New Zealand programme can only benefit from playing against the best teams in the world.
“We had many injuries and bought a very young team to the tournament, and I’m pleased they got an opportunity to play against such a powerful team as France and got this valuable experience; which will serve the program well for the future,” says Molloy.
“We’ll go back and begin again with the qualification process; we introduced a lot of young new players into the progamme and we’re expecting a number of senior players to return from injury. So we’ll begin all over again and utilise the experience we’ve learned this time through – and hopefully get to another major tournament.”
Tayla Dalton says that although the squad is disappointed by the overall results, the experience gained is a reward in itself.
“We came here with one goal and that was to qualify for the Olympics, so it’s a hard one heading home without receiving that ticket. But we got a lot of experience from this tournament and now it’s time to put out heads down and get to work for future tournaments to come,” says Dalton.
This brings the FIBA Olympics Qualifiers Tournament to an end for the Tall Ferns, with the players and coaching staff either returning to New Zealand or their respective home bases around the world. Thank you to everyone who tuned in to watch the Tall Ferns in this competition as they battled for a place in the 2024 Paris Olympics; it is greatly appreciated.
Stats:
New Zealand 39 – McGoldrick 10 PTS & 6 REB | Dalton 9 PTS | West 6 PTS | Beck 5 PTS | Whittaker 4 PTS | Tamilo 2 PTS | Hippolite 2 PTS | Robati 1 PT
France 94 – Williams 21 PTS | Malonga 13 PTS | Rupert 10 PTS | Ayayi 9 PTS
Quarter scores: 9-28, 17-61, 27-80, 39-94
Full box score: http://bbnz.link/0wusq
FIBA Olympic Qualifiers, China – NZ Results
9 Feb – NZL vs China (LOST 47-94)
11 Feb – NZL vs Puerto Rico (LOST 67-69)
11 Feb – NZL vs France (LOST 39-94)
2degrees Tall Ferns Squad, 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (Xi’an, China)
Stella Beck, Tokomanawa Queens
McKenna Dale, Bendigo Spirit / Whai
Tayla Dalton, Saint Mary’s Gaels (NCAA)
Pahlyss Hokianga, Whai
Lauryn Hippolite, Mainland Pouākai
Esra McGoldrick, Bendigo Spirit / Mainland Pouākai
Tera Reed, Melbourne Boomers / Northern Kāhu
Zoe Richards, Southern Hoiho
Sharne Robati, Mainland Pouākai
Ritorya Tamilo, Bendigo Spirit / Northern Kāhu
Amy West, Oaklands Wolves / Whai
Lauren Whittaker, Mainland Pouākai
