POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Sean Mullan
Australia - Guam 57:42
The Oceania championship was tipped off today with Australia facing Guam in Saipan. The tournament is held every four years with a unique chance for the teams of the region to play against Australia and New Zealand. There no tournament in 2005 though as the Mini Pacific Games were held that year. So the first Oceania championship in almost 8 years hit the road today.
Guam surprised sloppy Australian team with a brave start to the game. They grabbed the initiative early and rolled to a 6-point lead after ten minutes. Australia came back from slumber in the second stanza. They tightened their defense and limited Guam to 8 points clipping the margin to a single point at halftime. Things changed little in the third frame as the teams were plagued by numerous misses and turnovers. The Aussie team however managed to surge in front and they earned a 37:36 lead into the final stanza. Things finally started to work out for Australia in the fourth period as they gained control. They outgunned Guam 20:6 and celebrated an unconvincing victory at the end.
Thomas Daly paced the charge with 12 points. Jeremy Hill added 11 points, while Sean Mullan (-F-90) produced 9 in the win. Joseph Blas (183-G/F) responded with game-high 16 points and 7 boards for Guam. William Stinnett (186-G-86) finished with 10 points in defeat.
Australia: Thomas Daly 12, Jeremy Hill 11, Sean Mullan 9
Guam: Joseph Blas 16, William Stinnett 10
New Zealand - Northern Mariana Islands 93:56
New Zealand team started the Oceania championship with a confident win over Northern Mariana Islands. Five teams hit the road in the quest of the Oceania title in Saipan today. New Zealand is among the favorites and they have proved the status in the opening encounter.
The hosts were well cheered up by the local crowd but they were hardly able to match Kiwis. New Zealand surged in front early in the game. They controlled the tempo and ensured a comfortable 8-point advantage after ten minutes. The second frame proved the difference as the visitors held Northern Mariana Islands to just 4 points stretching the lead to as many as 29 points at halftime. The hosts however stayed contestant as they showed character in the third quarter. They outscored New Zealand 23:20 in the period to cut the deficit. But the Kiwis quickly struck back in the fourth quarter bruising the home team and celebrating the first win at the tournament.
Jordan Mills (-G) tallied 20 points, 5 boards and 4 assists for the winners. Hayden Miller provided 14 points and 7 rebounds for New Zealand. Jericho Cruz responded with 16 points for Northern Mariana Islands. Pete Iguel had 12 points and 6 boards in defeat.
New Zealand will face their archrivals Australia on Tuesday, while the hosts will play against Guam tomorrow.
New Zealand: Jordan Mills 20, Hayden Miller 14, Luke Aston 12+10 boards
CNMI: Jericho Cruz 16, Pete Iguel 12
