Australia clinch victory in Game 1 in Melbourne

Suzy Batkovic

Australia - New Zealand 61-41
Australia stepped closer to qualifying to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero. They outgunned New Zealand in the first game of two-game Oceania Championship series in Melbourne. Suzy Batkovic-Brown (195-C-80, agency: ONE Management) posted 16 points and 7 rebounds to pace the Opals. Australia opened a 15:5 lead after the opening quarter. The hosts went on a 21:12 run in the third term to take a comfortable 21-point lead into the fourth quarter. The Tall Ferns narrowed the deficit in the final period but could not avoid a heavy defeat. Tessa Lavey (170-G-93) accounted for 9 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists, while Stephanie Talbot and Rachel Jarry (185-SF-91, agency: Elite Sports Properties) had 8 points each for the winners. Micaela Cocks (174-G-86, college: Oregon), Natalie Taylor (182-F-84, college: SE Missouri St.) and Chevannah Paalvast (180-G/F-91, college: Monmouth) responded with 7 points each for the Tall Ferns.