Paita (New Caledonia) - New Zealand arranged an epic championship rematch against Australia after turning back Samoa, 84-26, in the Semifinal round of the 2019 FIBA U17 Oceania Championship women's division at the L'Arene de Sud in Paita, New Caledonia.
 
After a slow 12-8 start, the Women Tall Blacks turned it up in the second period, blasting Samoa with 34-4 rally to break the game wide open at 46-12 at the half.
 
That separation proved to be enough as NZ coasted to a 58-point win.
 
New Zealand will take on Australia for all the marbles of the 2019 FIBA 17 Oceania Championship.
 
Arielle Williams, Ashiee Strawbridge and Hannah Louise Matehaera racked up 12 markers apiece while Jessica Jean Moors posted 11 in NZ's easy Final Four victory.
 
On the other hand, J'adore Limu Quarter and Kalista Niu paced the Samoans with 9 and 8 points, respectively.
 
Samoa has a chance to finish on the podium with a crucial battle for the third match against Guam just before the championship.

Australia beats Tahiti, 139-16
 
Unbeaten defending champion Australia stamped its class over Tahiti with an emphatic 139-16 win to gain a Finals return ticket in the 2019 FIBA U17 Oceania Championship women's division.
 
Determined to retain its title this year, the undisputed Oceania queens rolled to a 38-2 first-quarter blitz and never looked back en route to this massive 123-point victory.
 
Australia thus kept its slate unblemished this tournament, making it 4 straight wins in a row, to punch a ticket back to the Finals.
 
Nine players racked up double digits in a well-scattered Australian attack led by Olivia Pollerd and Paige Price with 20 points apiece.
 
Charlise Dunn (15), Germa Potter (14), Shaneice Swain (14), Millie Prior (13), Kelsey Rees (13), Kate Deeble (13) and Jade Melbourne also came through solid support in this yet another blowout win for Australia.
 
Meanwhile, Group B leader and previously unbeaten Tahiti's dream run came to an end as Kuranui Doyen Etaeta and Mahinetea Tavane served as silver linings with 4 markers apiece.

Tahiti is relegated to the bronze medal match against Samoa.

Guam beats New Caledonia, 75-72

Guam saved the best for last, escaping past New Caledonia with a 75-72 win to clinch the fifth spot in the 2019 FIBA U17 Oceania Championship Women's division.

Cori Nicole Paulino starred for Guam after finishing with 16 points including the game-sealing bucket in the last 21 seconds to go along 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 7 steals as the visitor stunned the host team New Caledonia in the last classification match.

However, it was Alana Salas who lifted the heavy scoring load for the most of the game for Guam, unleashing 37 markers spiked by 7 triples. She also added 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals.

Guam thus secured the highest possible finish at fifth after being blanked in the preliminary round and the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, host Nw Caledonia just could not continue its impressive run after a second-place finish in Group B as it was relegated to the sixth spot of this 8-team Oceania tournament among 17-and-under aspirants.

Celia Puleoto and Enola Noemie Sangarne paced NC with 24 and 22 markers, respectively.

FIBA