POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Kirk Penney
Game 2: New Zealand - Australia 100-78
The National Team of New Zealand demonstrated impressive performance tonight in Wellington smashing the Australian NT 100-78. Kirk Penney (194-G-80, college: Wisconsin) was on fire in the winning squad with 24 points. He also handed out 10 assists beside that and needed 3 more rebounds to reach triple-double. It is important to say that this 22-point win is the biggest margin which Tall Blacks ever made against the Boomers. Australia celebrated in the first game 84-77 and they were looking to win or even to loose with less than 8 points, but New Zealand was great today. Except of Penney, Mika Vukona (197-F-82) also shined in victory collecting 25 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. Alex Pledger (216-C-87, college: Belm.Abbey) added 15 pts and 13 boards. Brad Newley 
(199-G-85) responded with 20 points and 5 rebounds in defeat. Nathan Jawai (207-C-86, college: Midland CC) had 17 points and 9 boards, while A.J. Ogilvy (211-C-88) contributed with 14 pts. Hero from Game 1, Joe Ingles (203-G/F-87, agency: Priority Sports) stopped on 13 pts, 5 assists and 4 rebounds. The first half was a tightly fought affair, with the Tall Blacks leading 17-16 at quarter time, and the Boomers in front 40-38 at the long break thanks to consecutive steal and dunks to Ingles and Newley in the final minute. When reserve guard Mike Fitchett hit a deep buzzer beating three the score at the final change was 74-55 and New Zealand had no troubles to keep comfortable lead until the end.
Both countries qualified for the FIBA World Championship 2010 in Turkey. What is very important, New Zealand takes Oceania's first seed into the tournament.
New Zealand: Mika Vukona 25+12 boards, Kirk Penney 24+10 as+7 boards, Alex Pledger 15+13 boards
Australia: Brad Newley 20+5 boards, Nathan Jawai 17+9 boards, A.J. Ogilvy 14
