POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Lauren Scherf
Group A
Australia - New Caledonia 93:42
Australia earned the second consecutive victory at the Pacific Championship in New Zealand. They outscored New Caledonia for 2-0 record in preliminary round Group A. Lauren Scherf (195-C-96) stepped up with 21 points and 9 boards for the winning side.
Australia set the tone early in the game. They went on a massive 32:7 run in the first term. Australia maintained the lead throughout the second quarter. Moreover the Aussies piled up a 56:21 halftime advantage. Australia stretched the margin even further in the third term. They secured a massive 51-point advantage heading into the fourth period. New Caledonia and Australia traded baskets throughout the final frame as the outcome was quite obvious at that point. Mikayla Pirini (169-G-96) netted 19 points, while Kristy Wallace (180-G-96) and Fareo added 11 points apiece for the winners. Allissonne Laukau responded with 11 points for New Caledonia. Niuaiti had 7 points in the defeat.
Australia: Lauren Scherf 21, Mikayla Pirini 19, Kristy Wallace 11, Fareo 11
New Caledonia: Allissonne Laukau 11, Niauiti 7
Fiji - Guam 55:36
Fiji clinched the second win in a row at the start of the Pacific Championship in Porirua City. They topped Guam today. Mikaela Whippy (173-G-86) produced 23 points and 8 rebounds for the winning team.
Fiji gained a 17:12 lead ten minutes into the game. They enlarged their lead in the second quarter. Fiji held Guam to just 3 points in the second stanza and piled up a 34:15 halftime lead. Guam cut the deficit in the third term. They bounced back with an 11:4 run to narrow the deficit at 12-point mark at the final break. But Fiji stiffened defensively in the fourth term and sealed the winning outcome. Vugakoto posted 10 points, while Tiyana Kainamoli and Boseiwaqa had 6 points each for Fiji. Brianna Benito responded with 12 points for Guam. Kathryn Castro and Maree Pelkey banked 6 points apiece in the loss.
Fiji: Mikaela Whippy 23, Vugakoto 10, Tiyana Kainamoli 6, Boseiwaqa 6
Guam: Brianna Benito 12, Kathryn Castro 6, Maree Pelkey 6
Group B
Papua New Guinea - Samoa 74:53
Papua New Guinea registered their first win at the Pacific Championship. They overcame Samoa for 1-1 record in Group B. Betty Angula scored 13 points, 16 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the winning side.
Papua New Guinea opened an 18:10 lead after ten minutes of action. Samoa cut the deficit in the second term. They got within 4 points at the interval 32:28. Papua New Guinea extended their lead in the third term. They fired 20 points in the quarter and established a 52:38 advantage at the final intermission. Papua New Guinea did not allow Samoa to recover in the fourth period and raced to the victory. Nape Waka and Koivi scored 12 points each in the win. Savannah Tafau-Levy (175-F-95) responded with 24 points and 11 boards for Samoa. Charlotte Davis chipped in 12 points in the defeat.
Papua New Guinea: Betty Angula 13+16 boards, Nape Waka 12, Koivi 12
Samoa: Savannah Tafau-Levy 24+11 boards, Charlotte Davis 12
New Zealand - Tahiti 65:62
New Zealand Maori registered the second straight win at the Pacific Championship. They narrowly defeated Tahiti for 2-0 record in Group B. Aroha Haumaha (178-F-86) scored 20 points to pace the winning side.
New Zealand earned a 16:12 lead after ten minutes of action. The Maori held their opponents to just 6 points in the second period and accumulated a 25:18 halftime advantage. Tahiti picked up the tempo in the third term. They got within 4 points at the final intermission. Tahiti erased the deficit late in the regulation. Alizee Lefrance put them in front 62:61 but Aroha Haumaha sank four free throws in the dying seconds and sealed the win for New Zealand. Jarryd Watene (170-G-89) netted 10 points and 8 rebounds, while Gallaher added 9 points for the winners. Alizee Lefrance responded with 24 points for Tahiti. Orama had 12 points in the defeat.
New Zealand: Aroha Haumaha 20, Jarryd Watene 10, Gallaher 9
Tahiti: Alizee Lefrance 24, Orama 12
