Women’s team off to a flyer, Men’s team suffer defeat in opening matches of SPMG

- July 25, 2005

POSTED BY: Eurobasket Center

Women's game; Papua New Guinea defeats New Caledonia 63-30.

PNG women’s team are off to a great start with a strong display over the New Caledonians. They have an impressive first quarter taking the lead of 12 by the end of the first quarter. Into second-quarter PNG extended its lead to 22 points in the game was virtually over. They dominated on the defensive end, and their rebounding. PNG had 25 offensive rebounds and outrebounded New Caledonia in their own end. Louise Wallace top scored with 12 point and also had 6 rebounds while Marcia Muri had 10 points. For New Caledonia Yolande Luepack and Soana Lucet had 8 points a piece.

PNG Women’s: Mary Elavo 6, Ronnie Pomat 2, Margaret Ani 2, Symoena Gesa 4, Marcia Muri 10, Julie Ann Diro 4, Karo Maha 8, Martha Bonga 3, Raka Nope 4, Gamino Koroka 6, Louise Wallace 12, Tiata Baldwin 2

Next game PNG faces host nation Palau. Palau lost to Solomon Islands in their previous game

Men’s game; Fiji defeated Papua New Guinea 65-40

PNG suffered a big defeat over the Fijains, in their opening match of the tournament . PNG had a more start in the first quarter trailing 23-8. Even though PNG came a mini comeback in the second quarter, the Fijians did not allow them to come back and extended the lead in the second half. Harold Elavo had 7 points and 3 steals while Ben Elavo had 6 points and 5 rebounds.

PNG Men’s: Colin Kila 7, Harold Elavo 6, Ben Elavo 5, John Toua 5, Joe Elavo 4, Roy Gime 4, Epeli Hau’ofa 3, Wally Parapa 2, Charles Parapa 2, Leo Hicks, Lawrence Lahari,

Next game PNG will face Marshall Island, who were defeated by New Caledonia