AUS/NZL - Opals hold off New Zealand for second win

CANBERRA (Friendly Game) - The Australian Defence Force Opals made it two wins from two games against New Zealand at the AIS Training Hall this weekend, downing their trans-Tasman rivals by twenty points, 80-60.

Bulleen's Emma Randall paced the Aussies with 17 points and collected an equal game high 8 rebounds while New Zealand captain Aneka Kerr led all scorers with 19 points.

With the ADF Opals' five-day training camp now concluded, a team of twelve athletes will be announced on Tuesday next week to represent Australia at the 'Good Luck Beijing 2008' tournament in China.

Perth's Carly Wilson scored the opening seven points for Australia and when tenacious point guard Tully Bevilaqua went to the bench after 4 minutes and 50 seconds the Opals led 11-4.

When Erin Phillips found Rohanee Cox for an open 3-pointer with two minutes remaining in the first the Aussies led 22-7 before New Zealand matched Australia's defensive intensity for the remainder of the half.

The Kiwis showed they have the ability to achieve some upset victories in China later this month and then at the big dance in August, winning the second quarter 19-17 to trail by twelve at the main break, 42-30.

New Zealand continued to push the ball up the court after the break while their never-say-die defence continued to restrict Australia's offence and with one quarter to play the Kiwis had reduced the margin by one, 60-49.

Bevilaqua terrorized the Kiwis in the back court to begin the final stanza and when Emma Randall scored in close the Opals had extended the lead to twenty points with 4 minutes and 33 second remaining, a margin Australia held until the final buzzer.

"It wasn't a great game for us," Australian Defence Force head coach Jan Stirling said.

"The girls are exceptionally tired and they ran out of legs but they tried hard and we still achieved something.

"We didn't finish off as well as we would have liked, but that's okay. We executed better offensively but we didn't nail our shots and that can happen at the end of a camp.

"Full credit to New Zealand, they were feisty, but we were definitely a little bit below par today."

Tall Ferns head coach Mike McHugh was left ruing a missed opportunity to claim New Zealand's first win over Australia at the senior women's level.

"At three quarter time it was a ten point game and they're winnable games," he said.

"We played with purpose and we played with enthusiasm and energy and that always stands you in good stead so I was pretty happy with our game today."

"This has been excellent for us."

Australia controlled the boards and won the rebound count 49-39, with twenty-two offensive rebounds to the ADF Opals a significant dent in New Zealand's defensive effort.

Suzy Batkovic (ankle) and Alicia Poto (abductor) were late withdrawals from Australia's roster due to injury but are still expected to be named in the ADF Opals team for the upcoming 'Good Luck Beijing' tournament in China.

Cayla Francis got her second cap as a result while World Champion point guard Erin Phillips stepped in for Poto. Francis registered six rebounds while Phillips shot 3-6 from the field to finish with 11 points.

Quarter by quarter:
1. AUS 25 NZ 11
2. AUS 42 (17) NZ 30 (19)
3. AUS 60 (18) NZ 49 (19)
F: AUS 80 (20) NZ 60 (11)

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