Tall Ferns’ comeback beats Chinese Taipei
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 all-important 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, and early on their chances did not look the brightest.
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 Kennedy Kereama’s side 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 just when they needed it, with a 25-15 final quarter powering them to a six-point victory. Kereama credited the Tall Ferns’ defensive effort as the key to the victory. ‘‘We showed real mental toughness today – to hold them to 18 points in the second half is where we want to be. Overall we did a really good job.’’
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.
Skipper Micaela Cocks added 12 points and five boards for the Ferns who overcame 16 turnovers, 11 of them live-ball giveaways.
The teams will all have a wellearned rest day before lining up for the all-important quarterfinals on Thursday. The winners will gain Asia’s allocated four spots at next year’s World Cup.
● Meanwhile a behind-closeddoors basketball game between the Tall Blacks and Chinese national team in Auckland had to be abandoned when the visitors walked off court in the third quarter.
Paul Henare’s young Tall Blacks were leading China 63-61 late in the third quarter when the game in south Auckland, was halted. China’s coach, Feng Du, indicated to Tall Blacks officials via a translator his team objected to the nature of the officiating, and that they had decided to withdraw the players from the contest.
Tall Blacks coach Henare described the decision by the visitors as "disappointing".
A Tall Blacks spokesman said the coach told them "they weren’t getting anything out of the game, and that it was not helping their preparation".
When the game was abandoned the Chinese team had been called for 31 fouls and New Zealand 18.