Badgers Skinned
Tagged in: Tall Ferns
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Point guard Angela Marino hit the go-ahead three-pointer to guide the NZ Tall Ferns to a 65-62 win over the touring University of Wisconsin Badgers in Christchurch.
But coach Mike McHugh credits the teamís defensive effort for the victory, part of a national team camp in preparation for next monthís FIBA Oceania Championships.
ìThey were a typical well-drilled US team Ö and monsters,î observed McHugh. ìThey smashed us on the boards.
ìIt wasnít the prettiest game Iíve ever seen, but Kiwis are good at battling things out and that was what we did.î
The Ferns conceded a 33-54 rebound count, but made up for it by pressing the Badgers into 29 turnovers and shooting 25/32 (78.1%) FT.
McHugh was particularly satisfied that his team held Wisconsin guard Jolene Anderson, who helped the United States to the FIBA World U21 Championship gold medal last month, to just 15 points.
While Marino emerged as the gameís top scorer with 18 points, veteran Jody Tini made the most of her recall to the squad, producing one of her best performances (10 points/four steals) for New Zealand as captain.
The game also offered up a couple of exciting new prospects for the Ferns. McHugh is keen to add Perth-based guard Jessica Spinner to his roster for the Olympic qualifying event in Dunedin (September 26-29), while young Canterbury guard Erin Rooney showed she too had a future at this level.
NZ Tall Ferns v University of Wisconsin
Sunday, August 26
Christchurch
NZ Tall Ferns 65 (Angela Marino 18, Lisa Wallbutton 10, Jody Tini 10) University of Wisconsin 62
Quarter 15-20
Halftime 33-34 (18-14)
Threequarter 46-52 (13-18)
Fulltime 65-63 (19-11)
