Paita (New Caledonia) - Australia retained its crown in the Women's Division of the 2019 FIBA U17 Oceania Championship after re-asserting its mastery over rival New Zealand at the end of the week-long tournament at the L'Arene de Sud.

Australia and New Zealand also sealed their qualification to the 2020 FIBA U18 Women's Asian Championship with the top two-finish.
 
The Sapphires started with a slow 22-16 first quarter before turning it up in the second period where they rode on a blistering 24-8 start to run away with a 46-24 halftime lead.
 
Australia never looked behind from there on en route to a commanding 47-point victory.
 
Jade Melbourne uncorked 21 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals to lead the way for Australia which completed a sweep of the eight-team tilt among U17 basketball aspirants in the Oceania region.
 
Gemma Potter and Shaneice Swain also put up 15 and 10 markers respectively while Kelsey Rees unloaded 11 points and 10 rebounds.
 
New Zealand, for its part just could not get over the hump of it usual tormentor Australia as it settled for a Silver Medal anew.
 
misfiring also did not help their cause as no other player finished in double figures with Emilee Bree Tahata and Arielle Williams settling for just 8 and 7 markers, respectively.

Meanwhile, Tahiti ran away in the second half to hold off Samoa, 62-56, and secure the Bronze Medal in the 2019 FIBA U17 Oceania Championship Women's division.
 
After being knotted at 25-all with Samoa entering the break, Tahiti got its act together in the telling third period where it managed to build a 13-point lead.
 
Tahiti fended off multiple uprising attempts of the Samoans to hold on to a close six-point win.
 
With this, Tahiti finished at the podium of this Oceania tilt among U17 aspirants.
 
Hereiti Salem unloaded four triples to finish with 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals while Mahinetea Tavanae provided a spectacular all-around performance with 15 points, six rebounds, six assists and seven steals in the win.

Meanwhile, Samoa just missed out on the top three finish, settling for just fourth spot with this slim loss.
 
Charlize Lealiee and Shayler Coulter-Faamafu chipped in 14 and 12 points respectively in a losing effort for Samoa.

Australia retained its crown in the Women's Division of the 2019 FIBA U17 Oceania Championship after re-asserting its mastery over rival New Zealand at the end of the week-long tournament at the L'Arene de Sud.

FIBA