POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Caitlin Rowe
Guam - Northern Mariana Islands 70:47
Guam posted the first win at the Oceania tournament in Saipan. They overcame the hosts to improve at 1-0 record. Guam dominated from start to finish to tame pesky Northern Mariana Islands. The teams got to the pretty quick start as they traded baskets early in the game. Guam were more accurate and managed to earn a 4-point lead at the first intermission despite losing the battle on the boards. But the second frame was a different story as Guam increased the tempo and started to get away. They limited the home team to just 6 points in the period and extended the leading margin to as many as 16 points. Northern Mariana Islands could not recover in the third frame. They missed all of their 15 two-point attempts and appeared trailing by massive 30 points heading into the final period. Northern Mariana Islands finally showed some signs of aggressiveness in the fourth stanza as they fired 26 points to trim the distance but Guam were never seriously threatened the coasted to the victory.
Brianna Benito delivered 25 points and 11 boards for Guam. Kathryn Castro had 12 points and 13 boards, while Derin Santos produced 11 points and 14 boards in the winning effort. Concepcion Camacho answered with 24 points for the hosts. Li'Amwar Ramgamar had 12 points in the loss.
Guam: Brianna Benito 25+11 boards, Kathryn Castro 12+13 boards, Derin Santos 11+14 boards
CNMI: Concepcion Camacho 24, Li'Amwar Ramgamar 12
Australia - New Caledonia 77:19
Australian selection got to an impressive start of their Oceania championship campaign on Northern Marianna Islands. They dismantled New Caledonia in the opener to set things rolling. Hope Terdich (192-F-86) nailed 13 points, pulled down 5 boards and issued 5 assists to lift Australia to the first win at the tournament. The Aussies marked their ambitions early as they thumped New Caledonians 20:3 in the starting stanza. Australia continued their onslaught in the next frame. The margin grew at 30-point mark at halftime as the encounter turned into a rather one-way traffic. Australia turned a bit sloppy in the second half slowing down the tempo. They sank just 1/13 from beyond the arc but dominated the boards to keep their opponents at safe distance. Australia drove to a 40-point advantage before the fourth term. They cruised to the victory in the final minutes. Caitlin Rowe (187-F/C-91) provided 12 points for Australia. Rebecca Campigli (177-G-90) and Nicole Seekamp had 8 points each in the win. Marie-Helene Trocas topscored for New Caledonia with 6 points. Yolaine Koteureu and Myriam Fenuafanote delivered 5 points each in the loss.
Australia will next face Guam on June 23, while New Caledonia will try to post the initial win when they take on Northern Marianna Islands tomorrow.
Australia: Hope Terdich 13, Caitlin Rowe 12, Rebecca Campigli 8, Nicole Seekamp 8
New Caledonia: Marie-Helene Trocas 6, Yolaine Koteureu 5, Myriam Fenuafanote 5
