NZ fall short against Puerto Rico in final World Cup Qualifier

It was do or die time for the New Zealand Tall Ferns, as they took on host nation Puerto Rico in the final game of their 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament needing a 24-point win to gain qualification and head to Berlin in September.

As expected, the energy inside El Choli was electric and both teams started off as such.

Guirantes got the home side off to a fast start with 6 quick points, whilst Tall Ferns skipper Tayla Dalton matched her energy with 5 points of her own, including a corner triple to get the squad underway from outside.

New Zealand would force five first quarters turnovers, capitalising on Puerto Rican mistakes with four points off turnovers. Ashlee Strawbridge knocked down a triple, and Ella Tofaeono (190-C-1998, college: Texas Tech)’s and-one would open up a nine-point lead heading into the quarter break.

Ella Tofaeono continued to make tough buckets down low but the Puerto Ricans wouldn’t lie down that easily. Pamela Rosado would knock down back-to-back triples to re-ignite the home fans, and close the gap to four points.

Emme Shearer would answer back though, with five quick points including her first triple of the night, advantage Tall Ferns with 2:39 left to go in the second.

Rosado would then hit her third triple of the quarter, and then Benitez dropped another as Puerto Rico would take their 3PM tally up to six for the second stanza, to close the gap between the two sides to three points with under a minute to play, forcing another New Zealand timeout.

Benitez would come out of the timeout, and hit yet another triple to tie the game, before India Pagan’s lay-in would put Puerto Rico up two at half time.

Tofaeono would pick up where she left off in the first half, scoring the first points in the third quarter, making herself the first Kiwi in double digit scoring on the night.

Sharne Robati would soon match her courtesy of a couple of tough buckets herself, taking her tally to 11 points.

Puerto Rico’s point guard, Rosado, would continue to provide for her team. Scoring baskets and dishing to teammates, helping the home team extend their lead throughout the third quarter.

India Pagan’s putback off her own miss would finish the quarter as Puerto Rico would take a six-point lead heading into the final quarter of action.

Trinity San Antonio would get in on the three-point action, starting the fourth with a shot from beyond the arc.

The Puerto Ricans would not let up, beginning the quarter on a 9-0 run, extending the lead out to 15.

A quick 5-0 run courtesy of a Dalton triple and Robati basket stopped momentum for a brief moment. However, Puerto Rico ever-steadfast responding with their own 8-0 run to bury the Tall Ferns and claim their win, in turn booking their ticket to Berlin.

A tough week results wise for the 2degrees Tall Ferns, but still Coach Nat Hurst remained proud of her troops.

“I’m incredibly proud of our group. They fought in every game, showed up for each other, and continued to grow as the tournament went on. We kept chipping away, improving day by day, and most importantly, staying connected as a unit through some tough moments.”

The loss brings an end to the Tall Ferns hopes at qualifying for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.

New Zealand 61 (Tofaeono 17p, 5 r, Robati 13p, 10r, Dalton 12p) defeated by Puerto Rico 77 (Rosado 18p, McGee-Stafford 15p, Guirantes 14p)

FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament 2026

Mar 12 v Spain L 50-99

Mar 13 v Italy L 51-74

Mar 15 v Senegal L 45 - 61

Mar 16 v USA L 46 - 101

Mar 18 v Puerto Rico L 61-77

Tall Ferns Squad

Tayla Dalton (Tauranga Whai), 18 games
Tegan Graham (Perth Lynx), 3 games
Pahlyss Hokianga (Tokomanawa Queens & University of Portland), 13 games
Jade Kirisome (Tauranga Whai), debutant
Rebecca Pizzey (Southern Hoiho), 5 games
Sharne Robati (Adelaide Lightning), 5 games
Briarley Rogers (Tokomanawa Queens), debutant
Emma Rogers (Mainland Pouakai & Fairfield Univeristy), debutant
Emme Shearer (Tauranga Whai & UC Capitals), 8 games
Ashlee Strawbridge (Adelaide Lightning), 11 games
Ella Tofaeono (Adelaide Lightning), 11 games
Charlotte Whittaker (Mainland Pouakai & Adelaide Lightning), 8 games