Tahlia Tupaea stars as Tall Ferns move onto knockout stage of Fiba Asia Cup

Tahlia Tupaea

The Tall Ferns are moving onto the knockout stage at the Fiba women's Asia Cup. Led by a standout showing by new addition Tahlia Tupaea (175-G-1997), New Zealand crushed Lebanon 76-45 in Sydney on Wednesday to clinch their place in the next phase. Depending on Wednesday's other results, the Tall Ferns will likely face the third qualifier from Group B on Friday (either Chinese Taipei or the Philippines, who meet later on Wednesday). Win that and they'll be into Saturday's semifinals - for the first time in four appearances at the Asia Cup. A top four finish gives the Tall Ferns the opportunity to proceed through the Olympic qualification pathway, where they can play in a future qualifying event to secure a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Eighteen hours after an 80-46 loss to world No 2 China, the Tall Ferns were always in control against Lebanon. They jumped out to a 17-6 first quarter lead and by halftime were in a powerful position, leading by 22 points (39-17). The Tall Ferns were able to frustrate Lebanon on defence, restricting them to an ice-cold 4/24 from the field in the first half (17%). Former Australian age-group representative Tupaea, who has reclassified her international status via Fiba, was at the heart of the Ferns' success. Penrith born Tupaea, who was so impressive in last year's Tauihi competition, earning MVP honours with the Northern Khu, made quite the impact offensively. The 26-year-old, who played at under-17 and under-19 level for Australia, dropped a game-high 20 points in the win, hitting six of nine from deep. She also chipped in with four rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Charlisse Leger-Walker (178-G-2001, college: WSU) was a constant threat with 19 points and six rebounds, while Penina Davidson (190-F-1995, college: California), who so outstanding in the opening win over Korea, contributed a 13 point-13 rebound double-double. Tupaea drained nine points in the second quarter, hitting two threes as the shot clock expired to rub salt into the Lebanon wounds. On three occasions in the second quarter, the Tall Ferns connected from deep just before the shot clock hit zero with Leger-Walker also nailing a dagger three. World No 44 Lebanon had few answers for the Tall Ferns, ranked 29th, for most of the game. Naturalised American Trinity Baptiste (183-F-1998, college: Arizona), who played for the Mainland Poukai in last season's Tauihi, was the only player to score in double figures for Lebanon, netting 11 points, but on 4/15 shooting. Lebanon weren't helped by their rebounding struggles, being outmatched 29-12 on the glass in the first half, and 49-27 for the match. It was a rough day at the office for the Lebanese, who shot 16/60 (27%) from the floor and drained just four of 21 from three point range (19%). Harder tests await the Tall Ferns in the next stage of the Asia Cup, but there's been a lot to like about the side in their wins over Korea and Lebanon. A semifinal berth is firmly in their grasp and from there anything can happen in knockout hoops.
Courtesy of: stuff.co.nz



Tags : TAHLIA TUPAEA, PENRITH PANTHERS, AUSTRALIAN BASKETBALL