Pacific Championship: Fiji nip Samoa for fifth place

Mikaela Whippy

Fiji - Samoa 61:58

Fiji celebrated the fifth position at the Pacific Championship. They pip Samoa in the tournaments finale for both teams. Mikaela Whippy (173-G-86) scored 27 points to lead the charge.
Fiji jumped to a 20:9 lead after ten minutes. They maintained the lead throughout the second term. Fiji accumulated a 33:19 halftime lead. Samoa narrowed the deficit in the third term. They cut the distance at 4-point mark after thirty minutes 40:44. Samoa kept the pressure growing throughout the final term but Fiji withheld the challenge and sealed the victory. Dale Wise produced 14 points, while Tiyana Kainamoli added 6 points for Fiji. Savannah Tafau-Levy (175-F-95) responded with 17 points for Samoa. Hailey Purcell (178-G/F-87, college: Tenn-Martin) had 15 points in the loss.

Fiji: Mikaela Whippy 27, Dale Wise 14, Tiyana Kainamoli 6
Samoa: Savannah Tafau-Levy 17, Hailey Purcell 15