Opals qualify for World Champs with Oceania win
The Australian women’s basketball team, the Price Attack Opals, have defeated the New Zealand Tall Ferns 75-67
in Napier this afternoon, qualifying for the 2006 World Championships in Brazil in the process.
The win was the Opals second in a row in the best-of-three Oceania Championships qualifying series against
New Zealand, after taking Game 1, 77-51, on Wednesday night.
Sydney Olympian Jae Cross (nee Kingi) was best for the Opals with 18 points, with Athens Olympian Alicia
Poto backing her up with 14 points, and Jacinta Hamilton adding 13.
Cross and Poto, both with New Zealand heritage, had family supporters on the sidelines who were a little
confused who to cheer for. Luckily for them, with 32 points between them, there was plenty of cheering for
individual brilliance.
After an easy 26-point victory in Game 1 in Palmerston North on Wednesday night, the Opals struggled today,
only managing to outscore their less-fancied opponents by eight points.
The Tall Ferns were still within two points (56-58) with 7:30 remaining and created some history by
finishing within double figures of the Opals for the first time in their one-sided rivalry.
The difference in Game 1 and 2 was obvious in the rebounding statistic. The much-shorter Kiwis were killed
under the basket in Game 1, but today, the Opals were 16 rebounds in arrears by the full time siren and
managed to pull down only one offensive board.
“I was disappointed in today’s game, especially the rebounding statistics,” Opals head coach Jan Stirling
said.
“However, we got the win and we got it by committing only one turn over and shooting at 52%.”
Point guard Angela Marino again led the Kiwis with 18 points, while captain Donna Loffhagen produced a
double double of 12 points/12 rebounds. Both players plyed their trade for the Canberra Capitals in the WNBL
last season.
The third and final match of the series will be played in Te Awamutu on Sunday afternoon at 3pm.
Opals top scorers:
Jae Cross 18, Alicia Poto 14, Jacinta Hamilton 13, Hollie Grima 10.
Tall Ferns top scorers:
Angela Marino 18, Donna Loffhagen 12, Lisa Wallbutton 10.
| Quarter time: | Opals 22 - 17 New Zealand |
| Half time: | Opals 33 - 29 New Zealand |
| Three Quarter time: | Opals 56 - 50 New Zealand |
| Full time: | Opals 75 - 67 New Zealand |
Related Articles:
Opals dominate New Zealand in Oceania Champs (Wed Aug 24)
Opals depart for Oceania Champs (Fri Aug 19)
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