XI'AN (China) - It took some tense moments, but Puerto Rico came out on top when the dust settled at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 against New Zealand, 69-67.

In a game that saw no less than 15 lead changes, coach Gerardo Batista's squad proved to have steelier nerves in the crucial final minutes. Mya Hollingshed and Arella Guirantes led the way as Puerto Rico successfully qualified for the Paris Olympic Games 2024 for just the second time in their program's history. Hollingshed had 20 points, while Guirantes added 13. Isalys Quinones also did well with 10 points and 6 rebounds in an efficient performance. As for New Zealand, team captain Stella Beck carried their efforts with 21 points.

Turning Point: Beck was stellar throughout this game, and her best moment came when she delivered a sublime assist to Lauryn Hippolite for a layup and the Tall Ferns' final lead of the game, 65-64, with just 48 seconds left. The Puerto Ricans, however, would not be denied their place in Paris. Guirantes sank a tightly contested pull-up jumper over the outstretched hand of Ritorya Tamilo to retake the lead, 66-65. After an empty New Zealand possession, it was Tayra Melendez's turn for the heroics. She hit a transition layup to cement Puerto Rico's advantage, 68-65. Guirantes split her last trip to the free-throw line before Beck's fastbreak basket pegged the final score.

TCL Player of the Game: Mya Hollingshed was a tower of power for Puerto Rico throughout the game. She played nearly without any relief and finished with a monster 20-point, 14-rebound double-double. She did most of her damage in the second quarter, when Puerto Rico turned a 9-point deficit into a 3-point halftime lead. She also added 4 blocks, 4 three-pointers and 1 steal to her amazing performance.

Stats don't lie​: New Zealand had the edge around the basket (+14 points in the paint), but Puerto Rico compensated by shooting well from the perimeter (11 three-pointers). The 15 lead changes, however, all but underscored how competitive this game was. Neither team wanted to give way up until the very end, and that helped make this nail-biting game the most exciting so far in Xi'an.

Bottom Line​: Puerto Rico played in the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 were they finished 12th, and they will return to the Olympic stage in Paris this year. It was a terrific bounce-back win for coach Batista and his wards, who suffered a lopsided loss to France on Day 1 in China.

Now, that they have the proverbial monkey off their collective backs, the Puerto Ricans can focus on possibly upsetting hosts China on Day 3 to end their WOQT on a strong note.

They said: "We're very disappointed to lose, but congratulations to Puerto Rico. It was a very competitive game. Good luck to them in the next tournament they'll face. We do have a game against France tomorrow, so we need to get ourselves physically recovered and mentally ready to play against a great team." - Guy Molloy, New Zealand head coach

"Congratulations to Puerto Rico. I'm gutted for us and the girls, but it was a hard-fought game. They deserved it." - Stella Beck, New Zealand guard

"It was a great game. I want to congratulate New Zealand because they did an amazing job. But our team, we kept fighting. The first quarter was not a good defensive quarter for us, but the second quarter was. That changed the game a little bit. Our veteran players did a great job, and it was a great game for global basketball." - Gerardo Batista, Puerto Rico head coach

"New Zealand played tough all night. They came together, but we played Puerto Rican basketball. We always fight and never give up. We're coached well, and the team comes together. We battled it out and executed when we needed to." - Ali Gibson, Puerto Rico guard

FIBA