POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Julius Barnes
New Caledonia - Samoa 76:85
The defending South Pacific champions New Caledonia did not manage to repeat their success and finished 2007 South Pacific Games at the 4th spot. They were beaten by hosting Samoa in the game for Bronze medals.
Both teams kept it tight in the first frame and the home side enjoyed just a 3-point lead after it 21:18. However the second quarter became the key factor for the hosts. Samoa limited their opponents to only 9 points and scored 20 themselves establishing a 41:27 lead at halftime. New Caledonia still struggled offensively after the intermission and could not find the touch from the field. Samoa cheered up by the fans extended the gap to 61:39 entering the fourth frame. New Caledonia did not look lost in the fourth frame and performed a fierce comeback effort outscoring the hosts 37:24. But it was never enough and Samoa donned Bronze medals.
Fia Gatoloai (188-G) topscored for Samoa with 18 points. Julius Barnes (186-G-81, college: Stanford) added 14 points and 3 steals for the winners. Fabrice Chaliot (198-F/C-76) answered with 18 points for New Caledonia. Yann Mathelon (185-G-85) secured another 10 points in a losing effort.
New Caledonia converted 51% from the field and 73% of free throws. They managed to outrebound Samoa 31:29 but committed 22 turnovers.
New Caledonia: Fabrice Chaliot 18, Yann Mathelon 10
Samoa: Fia Gatoloai 18, Julius Barnes 14
