Papau New Guinea gets to a slow start in Samoa

Julie-Anne Diro

Papua New Guinea - American Samoa 49:70
Papua New Guinea lost their oppening game at the South Pacific Games in Samoa. They were beaten by American Samoa. American Samoa got to a flying start of the game and secured a 17:7 lead after the first frame. Papua New Guinea tried to come back into the contest as they outscored their opponents 16:13 in the second quarter and cut the gap to 23:30 at halftime. However the loss of concentration in the third term resulted in American Samoa team surging ahead and establishing a safe 56:32 lead after three terms of action. Papua New Guinea never managed to recover and lost the encounter.
Nape Waka paced Papua New Guinea with 15 points and 6 boards. Julie-anne Diro added 7 points in a loss. Derisa Taleni topscored for American Samoa with 20 points. Krista Pritchard had 15 points for the winners.

PNG: Nape Waka 15+6 boards, Julie-anne Diro 7
American Samoa: Derisa Taleni 20, Krista Pritchard 15


Papua New Guinea - Fiji 46:96
Papua New Guinea team continued their losing skid in the second round of action at the South Pacific Games in Samoa. Fiji looked solid from the start and gave little hope for ailing Papua New Guinea squad. Fiji established a massive 53:22 lead at halftime. Papua New Guinea players managed to slow their opponents down a bit in the third stanza 15:16 but could not capitalized and Fiji raced to a win in the final quarter. They rolled past weary Papua New Guinea 27:9 and celebrated their first win at the tournament.
Emily Koivi produced 11 points and 5 boards for Papua New Guinea. Nape Waka scored another 9 points in a losing clause. Mikaelar Whippy (173-G-86) notched game-high 25 points for Fiji. Valerie Nainima (165-G-86) netted 23 points for the winners.
Papua New Guinea will next face Samoa later today.

PNG: Emily Koivi 11+5 boards, Nape Waka 9
Fiji: Mikaelar Whippy 25, Valerie Nainima 23