The 2degrees Tall Ferns fought hard in the opening quarter of their FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying match against the USA, but were eventually undone by some red-hot shooting in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Playing in game four of their tournament, the Tall Ferns took on a star-studded Team USA roster, who’d to this point in time been undefeated with comfortable wins against Senegal, Puerto Rico and Italy.
The opening minutes were a tight tussle, with the Tall Ferns showing strong energy and hustle at both ends. Emme Shearer and Tayla Dalton both produced tough finishes at the rim to keep New Zealand within reach, while a mid-range jumper from Tegan Graham gave the Ferns the lead with just under three minutes remaining in the first quarter.
However, the momentum quickly swung the other way. Team USA closed the quarter with a dominant 17–1 run, with Rhyne Howard and Angel Reese leading the charge. Both players scored six points in the period as the Americans pushed out to a 27–12 lead at the end of the first.
The United States continued to build on that momentum in the second quarter, catching fire from beyond the arc. The Americans knocked down six three-pointers in the quarter with Jackie Young hitting two, Kelsey Plumadding another pair, and further triples from Rhyne Howard and Paige Bueckers. Their long-range shooting and hustle on defense helping them stretch the advantage to 54–18 at halftime.
New Zealand showed improved attacking flow in the third quarter. Sharne Robati sparked the Ferns early, hitting her second three-pointer of the game and scoring the first eight points of the half for New Zealand.
The quarter also featured two triples from Ashlee Strawbridge, as the Ferns produced their best offensive period of the contest with 21 points.
Despite the lift, the United States continued to find scoring opportunities, including back-to-back fast break baskets from Caitlin Clark created off turnovers, extending the lead to 78–39 heading into the final quarter.
Team USA would continue that momentum in the fourth, outscoring the New Zealanders 23-7 to secure a 101-46 victory.
The 2degrees Tall Ferns certainly showing a lot of fight in moments throughout the game, Coach Nat Hurst particularly happy with the mentality the team started the game with tonight.
“I’m really proud of how the girls came out today, especially after such a disappointing game yesterday. They put that aside and came out ready to compete.
We were up against arguably the best team in the world, so it was great to see our group respond and compete the way they did.”
Captain Tayla Dalton relishing the opportunity alongside her teammates to take on some of the biggest names in basketball.
“It was so fun competing against some of the best players in the world. Not every day you get to play the USA — it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We talked yesterday about no fangirling once we stepped on the court, and I think from the start we just went out and played New Zealand basketball.”
It was a tough game to follow up their tough loss to Senegal just 24 hours ago, but the Tall Ferns showed a lot of fight and promise throughout tonight’s game.
“Our main focus was representing our jersey in a better light than we did yesterday, and when the girls focus on that we usually play hard for 40 minutes.”
Coach Hurst stoked with the intensity that the five starters came out with tonight, and how that translated to the rest of the roster throughout the game.
“The starting five did a great job setting the tone. They took a lot on their shoulders after yesterday and made sure we started the game much better.”
“We were more aggressive today. Yesterday we probably played on our back foot, but today we took open shots, attacked the paint and pushed in transition.”
The team’s hunt for a FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying spot is still on, with the team keeping a close eye on today’s Senegal v Puerto Rico match up, needing Puerto Rico to win that one to keep their hopes of a Berlin berth alive.
“Puerto Rico, Senegal and us are all still fighting for that last spot, so if they get over Senegal today it’s going to be a pretty feisty match in the final game of the tournament.”
That game will be the team’s final of the FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament and will be live on ESPN, Wednesday 1pm (NZT).
2degrees Tall Ferns 46 (Robati 11p, 6r, Strawbridge 8p) defeated by USA 101 (Howard 18p, Clark 14p, 6a, Pulm 10p, 5a)
Q1: NZL 12 – 27 USA
HT: NZL 18 – 54 USA
Q3: NZL 39 – 78 USA
FT: NZL 46 – 101 USA
