FIBA Women’s U17 Oceania Cup: Cook Islands stepped onto pedestal in Samoa

Cook Islands - Samoa 58-54

Cook Islands edged Samoa 58–54 in a tightly contested FIBA Women’s U17 Oceania Cup matchup, with both teams securing qualification for the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup Division B in Thailand next year. Cook Islands built an early advantage behind strong first-half play to lead 31–21 at the break, then held off a determined Samoa comeback in the final quarter. Samoa outscored Cook Islands 18–13 in the fourth period, but the early deficit proved decisive as Cook Islands maintained their composure to seal the four-point victory.
Aphrodite Piri (182-F-2008) led the way with 13 points and Bridgette Kata (168-G-2009) netted 11. Azaria Maua (2011) replied with 15 points in the losing effort.