POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Mekeli Wesley
Pool I
Australia-Tahiti 86:49
Australia wins Pool I of the Pacific Championship with a 3-0 record. They rolled over Tahiti 86:49 at the end of the group stage. Tahiti finished the Pool with 1-2 record.
It was not an easy start for Australia that could not take control of the game in the first period. Tahiti posted the same 19 points in the first frame, but fell short in the second period. The favorites posted a 23-6 rally in it to take 17-point advantage at the halftime. Moreover Australia won the third period 26-17 and finished the game with an 18-7 run.
Joel Smith top-scored for the winners with 17 points and Michael Healy notched 13. Rhys Vague and Tad Dufelmeier delivered 9 points apiece. Ariihau Meuel finsiehd the game with 16 points in a loss and Michel Audouin scored 9. Tuparau Ariitu produced 8 and Andy Commings ended up with 7.
Australia: Joel Smith 17, Michael Healy 13, Rhys Vague 9, Tad Dufelmeier 9
Tahiti: Ariihau Meuel 16, Michel Audouin 9, Tuparau Ariitu 8, Andy Commings 7
Papua New Guinea-Guam 61:84
Guam outscore Papua New Guinea in Day 3 of the Pacific Championship. They finished second in Pool I after an 84:61 win. Papua New Guinea remained winless at the tournament.
Guam opened the game with a 15-13 lead and added massive 26-6 surge in the second frame. Papua New Guinea bounced back with a 23-18 rally in the third period, but could not come closer. Guam closed the game with a 25-19 run to seal the second win.
Mekeli Wesley (206-F-79, agency: Stanley International, college: BYU) top-scored for the winners with 20 points and William Stinnett (186-G-86, college: Wenatchee Valley CC) nailed 16. Jesus Cruz posted 14, whilst Jine Han delivered 10. Mekeli Wesley ended up with 20 points in the losing effort and William Stinnett produced 16. Jesus Cruz chipped in 14 and Jine Han had 10.
Papua New Guinea: Apia Muri 23, Gabriel Elavo 14, Joe Elavo (193-F/C) 8, Purari Muri (PG-93) 5
Guam: Mekeli Wesley 20, William Stinnett 16, Jesus Cruz 14, Jine Han 10
Pool II
Fiji-New Zealand Maori 69:112
New Zealand conquer Pool II of the Pacific Championship 2013. They overcame Fiji 112:69 and finished it with a 3-0 record. The latter ended up with 1-2 record on the third place.
Fiji surprised the hosts with a 24-19 run in the first period, but could not stay on race later in the game. New Zealand bounced back with a massive 35-14 surge and never looked behind after. They added 29-17 in the third quarter and finished the game with a 29-14 run.
Daniel Green stepped up with 20 points and Puke Lenden (198-G/F-80) nailed 16. Ross Taurima (187-G-87) and Bailey-Novell poured in 14 points each, while Shea Ili (183-G-92) added 13. Leonard Whippy (180-G-82, college: BYU-Hawaii) replied with 22 points in the losing case and Pita Sowakula collected 13 points and 11 rebounds. Tabuduka notched 8and Johnathan Kunau brought 7.
Fiji: Leonard Whippy 22, Pita Sowakula 13+11 rebs, Tabuduka 8, Johnathan Kunau 7
New Zealand Maori: Daniel Green 20, Puke Lenden 16, Ross Taurima 14, Bailey-Novell 14+12 rebs, Shea Ili 13
New Caledonia-Samoa 54:100
Samoa leave no chance for New Caledonia at the end of the Pool Stage at the Pacific Championship. They posted 100 points to take a confident victory by 46 points. Samoa finished Pool II with 2-1 record, while New Caledonia ended up with 0-3 record.
Samoa erupted with a 31-11 burst in the start of the game and never looked behind. They added 20-18 rally in the second frame and enjoyed a 51:29 halftime advantage. Moreover Samoa posted two more victories in the second half. They won the third frame 19-9 and finished the game with a 30-19 run.
Charles Epati and Valance McCarthy stepped up with 20 points each, while Ratu Epeli Levy collected 17 points and 11 rebounds. Benjamin Williams followed them with 13 points each. Myriam Fenuafanote poured in 12 points and Jean-Jacques Taufana (185-F-86) added 11 in a loss.
New Caledonia: Myriam Fenuafanote 12, Jean-Jacques Taufana 11
Samoa: Charles Epati 20, Valance McCarthy 20, Ratu Epeli Levy 17+11 rebs, Benjamin Williams 13
