Opals use first-half blitz to take Game 2 over Tall Ferns

A first-half blitz has led the Australian Opals to a convincing 98-57 win over the New Zealand Tall Ferns in the second game of the Trans-Tasman Throwdown series at UniSC Arena at the Sunshine Coast. Australia's backcourt duo of Maddison Rocci (169-PG-1998) and Miela Sowah combined for 28 points to star for the Opals, who made a statement in the first half against the young Tall Ferns following a hard-fought 12-point win in game one in Adelaide on Wednesday. With their trademark defensive pressure obviously the focus for Opals associate head coach Paul Goriss, the Opals finished the first 20 minutes with a 57-25 advantage. Sowah continued her red-hot form in her debut series in the green and gold, going on a second-quarter tear to back up her 23-point performance from the series opener. Australia also managed to limit the impact of New Zealand big Sharne Robati (180-F-2001), who made her presence felt in Adelaide with 14 points in the first half of that game, but struggled to find any space against the swarming defence of the Opals. Despite the 32-point deficit heading into the second half, Natalie Hurst (164-PG-1983)'s Tall Ferns continued to fight against an Australian side boasting a significant advantage in international and professional experience. Robati and New Zealand skipper Esra McGoldrick (188-F-1999, college: NC State) helped the visitors win the third quarter 21-18. While Sowah (15 points) and Rocci (13 points) led the way, the Opals had a balanced attack on the offensive end as forward Alexandra Fowler (188-F-2001, college: Portland) contributed 15 points along with five rebounds, Isabel Borlase had 10 points and stalwart Sara Blicavs appeared to regain some form, scoring nine points, including a transition triple in the second half. Australia's defensive pressure proved too much for the Tall Ferns with the home side recording 18 steals and forcing 24 turnovers from their opposition while the Opals also found their way to the foul line 26 times for 23 makes compared to just 11-from-19 from New Zealand. The victory clinches the series for Australia with the final game in New Zealand on Sunday.
Courtesy of: basketball.com.au