Oceania - Guam men 'upset' Kiwis, Tall Ferns demolish NC

From saipantribune.com
Download source here

New Zealand's men and women's teams had mixed fortunes at the conclusion of the elimination round of the 2009 FIBA Oceania Basketball Tournament yesterday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Tall Ferns ripped New Caledonia, 101-43, in the women's division, while the Guam men whipped the Tall Blacks, 71-48.

The Tall Ferns finished the elimination round at the No. 2 spot with their 3-1 record and will face New Caledonia, anew in the semifinals today at 11am at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

Top-ranked Opals will duel against the Guam national women's team in the other semis game at the Ada Gym today at 9am.

In the men's division, Guam will be pitted against New Caledonia, as the former finished at No. 3, following its 23-point win over the Tall Blacks.

New Zealand, along with Australia, were the early favorites in the tournament, but Guam assistant coach Sid Guzman did not consider their victory over the Tall Blacks as an upset.

“We're pretty even. Both teams are competitive. It just boiled down to execution and control of the game,” Guzman said.

However, Guzman believed yesterday's game was their best in the tournament.

“We had a good offensive game and played tough defense today [yesterday]. Against New Caledonia, we hope to keep up that tight defense and lessen our turnovers to have a strong chance to win,” Guzman added.

Guam's tight defense held New Zealand to five points in the third period, as the U.S. territory took a 53-30 lead going into the final quarter.

New Zealand failed to make headway in the payoff canto and dropped its last three games in the elimination round. The Tall Blacks also bowed to New Caledonia last Tuesday, 52-62.

Joe Blas led Guam's victory with his 17 points, while William Stinnett and Jine Han added 11 and 10 markers, respectively.

Luke Aston was the only double-figure scorer for the Tall Blacks with 11 points.

In the women's division, Jelena Vucinic, Zoe Kensington, and Emma Gillespie logged 16 points each to lead the Tall Ferns' rout of New Caledonia.


Women's

New Zealand 101 - Vucinic 16, Kensingto 16, Gillespie 16, Caldwell 15, Moore 12, Gallaher 6, Milford 4, Connell 2.

New Caledonia 43 - Fenuafanote 16, Luepak 7, Koteureu 6, Fuller 4, Folituu 4, Sioremu 3, Kolotolu 3.

Scoring by quarters: 21-13, 49-25, 79-32, 101-43.


Men's

Guam 71 - Blas 17, Stinnett 11, Han 10, Susuico 8, Estelle 8, And. Borja 6, Ant. Borja 4, Royster 2, Okada 1.

New Zealand 48 - Aston 11, Makavilitogia 9, Miller 6, Green 5, Nikora 4, Bailey 3, Joyce-Gay 2, Ashby 2, Maiava 2.

Scoring by quarters: 21-13, 43-25, 53-30, 71-48.