New Zealand has kept alive their hopes of a top-10 finish at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup in Mexico, with a nervy 79-76 victory over Puerto Rico in their first classification game.
New Zealand looked set for a comfortable win when they led 53-24 at half-time – and though their advantage was trimmed in the third, they were still in control with a 65-49 lead entering the final period.
The guard trio of Bailey Flavell, Pahlyss Hokianga and Keriana-Marie Hippolite pushed the margin out to 21 points (74-53) before Puerto Rico mounted a mighty comeback in the final five minutes to test the nerves and mettle of the Kiwis.
A pair of threes trimmed the margin by six points ahead of a Graecyn Parahi lay-up with 3:45 to play. That would be the last field goal New Zealand would make in the game, and with Puerto Rico appearing to score on every possession the Kiwi’s growing concern was palpable.
The apprehension of the travelling New Zealand fans was even greater when Puerto Rico closed to within seven points with a minute to play. Hokianga made a free-throw but Puerto Rico were not finished – the outstanding Adriana Robles scoring twice in ten seconds.
It was only when Hokianga earned another trip to the foul line – with 8 seconds remaining – that the New Zealand players and supporters could relax.
Flavell was again outstanding for New Zealand filling the stat-line with 24 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks. Hokianga enjoyed her best game of the tournament with 16 points, Hippolite scored a dozen, Graecyn Parahi 9 and Kodee Williams-Sefo 8 (2/2 3PG).
Despite cooling off in the second half, the Kiwis made 42% (25/60) from the field and 36% (11/31) from beyond the arc. In contrast Puerto Rico heated up after the interval but were still held to 39% (30/77) from the field and 21% (6/29) from deep.
Puerto Rico edged the rebounding contest 44-41 and also forced the Kiwis into 26 turnovers, while giving up 21 themselves.
In a free flowing opening quarter, New Zealand sped to a 14-8 lead with all five starters on the scoresheet. A triple from Hokianga pushed the advantage into double figures and with Hippolite, Flavell and Hokianga successful from deep the Kiwis had powered to a 32-14 quarter time lead.
After Puerto Rico made the opening scores of the second period the Kiwis reasserted their control with successive makes from beyond the arc – Hokianga, Parahi and then Williams-Sefo the providers. Flavell took her contribution into double figures with a scoop layup from a Hokianga assist, before the first half concluded with a McMechan layup and an Enriquez-Paea free-throw – New Zealand in charge with a 53-24 lead.
Puerto Rico began the second half in a more assertive fashion, scoring 10 unanswered points before Hippolite, McMechan and Flavell made baskets. However the Puerto Rico comeback gathered momentum as they outscored the Kiwis 23-12 in the quarter to trail 65-47.
The impressive progress the Kiwis had made in the first twenty five minutes of the contest gave way to anxiety in the later stages. The 29-point advantage gained in the opening half almost evaporated down the stretch, but to their credit the Kiwis hung on and are now one win away from a top-10 finish.
New Zealand next face the winner of the Mexico versus Chinese Taipei clash.
Stats:
New Zealand 79 – Flavell 24 PTS, 7 REB & 8 AST | Hokianga 16 PTS | Hippolite 12 PTS | Parahi 9 PTS | Williams-Sefo 8 PTS |McMechan 6 PTS |Douglas-Karauna 2 PTS & 6 REB | Enriquez-Paea 2 PTS
Puerto Rico 76 – A Robles 27 PTS | J Guerra 14
Box Score: https://bbnz.link/U17WWC_NZLvPUR
Quarter Scores: 32-14, 21-10, 12-23, 14-29
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
NZL v Puerto Rico – WON 79-76
NZL v Mexico or Chinese Taipei
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)
