The U18 New Zealand women’s team eased through their third and final Group A stage fixture at the FIBA U18 Asia Cup in Shenzhen, China on Wednesday – beating Indonesia 70-50.
The Junior Tall Ferns needed a win to keep their 2024 U19 World Cup dreams alive and after leading by as many as 28 points, eventually had to settle for a 20-point win. New Zealand will now meet Korea in a sudden death Preliminary Semi-Final.
On a night when all 12 Kiwis featured on the scoreboard, Rebecca Moors led the way for with 14 points and 8 rebounds, with Arna Bright also in double figures (11 points) and Olivia Lassey tallying 9 points along with 5 rebounds and 5 assists in an all-around effort.
With a height advantage on their side, the Junior Tall Ferns won the rebounding count 47-35, outscored their opponents 46-20 in the paint. They were also clear leaders in the assists category (21 to 10), and shot 45% (29/64) from the field compared to Indonesia’s 31.6% effort.
Kavanah Lene scored 4 points in the opening 60 seconds, but unfortunately the Cantabrian guard was immediately forced from the court after sustaining an ankle injury. Nevertheless the Junior Tall Ferns made a strong start. Propelled by triples from Shawnessy Nordstrom, Bright and Annika Scott, the lead was 23-10 at quarter time.
Back-to-back baskets from Nordstrom extended the New Zealand advantage to 20 points midway through the second period. Although Indonesia were able to stem the flow of opposition points at the back end of the half, the Ferns remained in control at the interval with a 45-18 lead.
Indonesia scored the first seven points of the second half ahead of Moors making an inside basket. Fellow Harbour forward Zenthia Stowers scored with her first touch of the basketball before Tannika Leger-Walker, playing at her fourth FIBA tournament, nailed a deep three.
The Kiwis were ahead 57-33 at three-quarter time but it was a period that Indonesia won 15-12. Despite a pair of baskets from Elise Carline and a sideline three from Bright, Indonesia again had the better of the fourth (17-13) – although the result was never in doubt after that strong opening half.
Thursday is a rest day for all the teams before the action continues again on Friday; when New Zealand will face Korea, who finished second in Group B, in a Semi-Final Qualification game. A win would guarantee New Zealand a top four finish, and with it a place at the 2024 U19 World Cup – the New Zealand coaching staff will be waiting anxiously on the fitness report concerning Lene.
Stats:
New Zealand 70 – | Moors 14 PTS & 8 REBS & 3 STEALS | Bright 11 PTS | Lassey 9 PTS & 5 ASSISTS | Nordstrom 7 PTS | Leger-Walker 5 PTS | Gilbert 5 PTS & 7 REBS | Walker 4 PTS | Carline 4 PTS | Lene 4 PTS | Scott 3 PTS | Stowers 2 PTS | Leeson 2 PTS
Indonesia 50 –| Sutisna 14 PTS | Prajitno 9 PTS
Box Score: https://bbnz.link/U18WAC_NZLvINA
Quarter Scores: 23-10, 22-8, 12-15, 13-17
FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup – New Zealand Schedule and Results
NZL v Japan – LOST 84-47
NZL v China – LOST 90-68
NZL v Indonesia – WON 70-50
NZL v Korea on Friday 28 June (Time TBC)
Junior Tall Ferns Squad at FIBA U18 Asia Cup
Arna Bright, Basketball Taranaki
Elise Carline, Basketball Otago
Elise Gilbert, Waikato Basketball Council
Olivia Lassey, Tauranga City Basketball Association
Evie Leeson, Canterbury Basketball Association
Tannika Leger-Walker, Waikato Basketball Council
Kavanah Lene, Canterbury Basketball Association
Rebecca Moors, Harbour Basketball Association
Shawnee Nordstrom, Waikato Basketball Council
Annika Scott, Logan Thunder (NBL1)
Zenthia Stowers, Harbour Basketball Association
Temepara Walker, Waikato Basketball Council
