Tall Ferns shut out Chinese Taipei rivals

Big double-doubles from star forwards Jillian Harmon and Kalani Purcell and a withering finish have secured the Tall Ferns the second pool play victory they needed at the Fiba Asia Cup in Bangalore, India.

The New Zealand women’s basketballers dug their way out of a deep, early hole to defeat Chinese Taipei 59-53 to finish group A with two wins from three, and grab second place overall heading into the quarterfinals.

That will secure the Ferns a likely sudden-death matchup against South Korea, with the winner rewarded with a spot at next year’s Fiba World Cup.

The New Zealanders needed to knock over Chinese Taipei to avoid a clash with group B heavyweights Australia or Japan.

The Ferns could barely make a shot in the opening stanza as they trailed 21-7 at the end of the quarter, and by 17 early in the second. Though things finally began to turn around, they still went into the major break trailing 35-24.

But they put the third-quarter squeeze on Chinese Taipei to limit them to just three points and close to within four, at 38-34, heading into the final period.

From there the Ferns found their A game, with a 25-15 final quarter powering them to a sixpoint victory.

They have a lot to thank former BYU standout Purcell for. The talented 22-year-old Aucklander produced a monster performance of 22 points, 13 rebounds and four assists to lead the Ferns’ charge.

She made nine of her 20 shots, was four of six from the line and picked up four of her rebounds at the offensive end as the Kiwis pounded their opponents on the boards, 54-32.

Harmon continued her impressive form at the tournament with a double-double of 15 points and 15 rebounds. The Italy-based pro was seven of 19 from the floor and added three assists, a steal and a block.

The quarterfinals are tomorrow. The winners will gain Asia’s allocated four spots at next year’s World Cup.