After an opening game loss, the NZ U17 Women’s National team have bounced back with a strong performance to defeat hosts Mexico 98-71 at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup.
Leading by just two points (39-37) at half-time, the Kiwis took control of the contest in the third period; outscoring Mexico 33-18 before closing out a comfortable win in the fourth.
After scoring 24 points in the loss to Italy the day before, Bailey Flavell again led the New Zealand effort – amassing 25 points while shooting 9/14 (64%) from the field and 5/10 (50%) from beyond the arc. The North Harbour guard also contributed 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks in a standout performance. Keriana-Marie Hippolite was also highly influential with 16 points and 6 assists, while forwards Kodee Williams-Sefo (13 points and 6 rebounds), Olivia Hastings (13 points and 9 rebounds) and Waikimihia Douglas-Karauna (8 points and 7 rebounds) helped New Zealand win the battle on the boards 54-44.
Cassidy Thomson ( 3 points and 3 assists) also played a key role in the victory, as her tenacious defence limited the effectiveness of dangerous Mexican shooting guard Sofia Acuna.
New Zealand shot 46% (32/70) from the field and 10 from 36 (28%) from downtown while restricting Mexico to 38% (30/79) from the field.
The Kiwis scored from their first two possessions of the game courtesy of a Williams-Sefo triple, followed by a drive from Hippolite. Flavell then increased the advantage to 10-2 before Mexico hit back with an 11-1 burst – that was soon wiped out by a Hippolite triple.
Chanel Enriquez-Paea and Graecyn Parahi added points but a buzzer beating-three carried the hosts to a 22-19 quarter time lead.
The Kiwis had the better of the second period as they built a 39-33 lead, before giving up two turnovers in the last 20 seconds of the quarter to see their advantage cut to 39-37.
New Zealand had begun the stanza in encouraging fashion, with an Enriquez-Paea floater and a tricky Flavell lay-up preceding an inside effort from Hastings and a Chanel Enriquez-Paea sideline three. Spurred on by the home supporters, Mexico drew level at 31 points apiece before a 4-point play from Flavell and a Hippolite score carried the New Zealand advantage to six ahead of those late blemishes.
New Zealand dominated the third period, outscoring their opponents 33-18 as the quartet of Hastings, Hippolite, Flavell and Williams-Sefo put their collective stamp on proceedings by combining for 27 points. Ahead 72-55 at the three-quarter mark, New Zealand extended their lead to 24 points at one stage and had little trouble in closing out the victory.
Following a day off New Zealand is set for a key matchup with African champions Mali on Wednesday 17 July at 29.30am NZT. A victory would see the Kiwis claim second place on the Group B standings.
Stats:
New Zealand 98 – Flavell 25 PTS, 4 STL & 3 BLK | Hippolite 16 PTS & 6 AST | Williams-Sefo 13 PTS | Hastings 13 PTS & 9 REB | Enriquez-Paea 9 PTS | Douglas-Karauna 8 PTS & 7 REB | Parahai 6 PTS | Thomson 3 PTS | McMechan 2 PTS | Hickey 2 PTS | Vukona 1 PT
Mexico 81 – M Reyes 23 PTS | S Acuna 16 PTS
Box Score: https://bbnz.link/U17WWC_NZLvMEX
Quarter Scores: 19-22, 20-15, 33-18, 26-26
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 – 9.30am, Wed 17 July
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)
