New Zealand has suffered a disappointing loss in the Round of 16 at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup this morning, going down 78-55 against Finland.
New Zealand were left to rue a rough finish to the end of the first half. In the closing 5:30 of the period, they were outscored 18-2 to trail 52-27 at the interval – and from there were left fighting an uphill battle.
New Zealand struggled with their shooting, making only 30% from both the field (19/64) and from beyond the arc (6/20). Bailey Flavell scored 9 while Sophia Hickey and Keriana-Marie Hippolite tallied 8 points apiece.
Missing starting centre Olivia Hastings, due to the ankle injury she suffered in the previous game against Mali, New Zealand found themselves undersized in the front court. Finland won the rebounding count 60-38, claiming 22 offensive boards – resulting in 23 second chance points.
Kodee Williams-Sefo and Waikimihia Douglas-Karauna battled away for 8 and 6 rebounds respectively but the Kiwis were unable to contain Finland’s Nicole Ogun who finished with 15 rebounds (8 offensive) to accompany 17 points.
The loss sees the Kiwis now contesting the 9th-16th classification games, with their first opponent likely to be Puerto Rico. New Zealand has finished 12th in their previous two appearances at the Under 17 Women’s World Cup – this team will be aiming to improve on that record.
Finland, contesting the U17 Women’s World Cup for the very first time, started in hot shooting form – making five triples in the opening quarter. Graecyn Parahi and Flavell countered with a pair of threes but New Zealand trailed 26-16 at the first break.
Early in the second period, Hippolite and Flavell scored in transition and Douglas-Karauna converted a put back although Finland were still able to maintain a double figure advantage. After a Flavell jumper the Finns found another gear, going on an 18-0 run as they combined stifling defence with a high-paced transition game. Douglas-Karauna ended the scoring drought but the Kiwis had a mountain to climb at half-time, trailing 52-27.
New Zealand did a fine job restricting the Finland offence to just 11 points in the third quarter, and with Sophia Hickey and Enriquez-Paea landing triples had the better of proceedings to take the period 15-11; although they still trailed 63-42 at three-quarter time.
Finland had little trouble protecting their lead in the fourth quarter and finished the gam as deserved winners, heading to the U17 World Cup quarter-finals for the first time ever.
Following a rest day, New Zealand will next faced the loser of the Canada versus Puerto Rico tie.
Stats:
New Zealand 55 – Flavell 9 PTS & 3 AST | Hippolite 8 PTS | Hickey 8 PTS | Douglas-Karauna 7 PTS & 6 REB | Hokianga 6 PTS & 3 STL | Williams-Sefo 6 PTS & 8 REB | Parahi 6 PTS | Enriquez-Paea 5 PTS
Finland 78 – N Ogun 17 PTS & 15 REB | T Talonen 14 PTS
Box Score: https://bbnz.link/U17WWC_NZLvFIN
Quarter Scores: 16-26, 11-26, 15-11, 13-15
FIBA U7 Women’s World Cup – New Zealand Schedule and Results
NZL v Italy – LOST 63-71
NZL v Mexico – WON 98-81
NZL v Mali – WON 84-47
NZL v Finland – LOST 78-55
NZ Women’s U17 Squad at FIBA U17 World Cup
Waikimihia Douglas-Karauna, Rotorua Basketball Association
Chanel Enriquez-Paea, Gold Coast Rollers (NBL1)
Bailey Flavell, Harbour Basketball Association
Olivia Hastings, Norths Bears (NBL1)
Sophia Hickey, DME Academy
Keriana-Marie Hippolite, Brisbane Capitals (NBL1)
Pahlyss Hokianga, Basketball Hawkes Bay
Taia McMechan, Nunawading Spectres (NBL1)
Graecyn Parahi, Basketball Hawkes Bay
Cassidy Thomson, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (AUS)
Kodee Williams-Sefo, Harbour Basketball Association
Gia Vukona, Southern District Spartans (NBL1)
