Basketball New Zealand

BBNZ

New Zealand’s junior national teams were quickly on the back foot against their Australian rivals, both falling heavily in their opening games of the FIBA Oceania U19 Championships in Adelaide.

The Junior Tall Blacks were still within striking distance as they entered the fourth quarter 12 points behind the Australian Emus, but conceded the final period 31-16 to eventually finish 67-94 in arrears.
The young Kiwis have spent considerable time together this year, contesting the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Germany and playing in the CBL northern conference as the NZ Breakers development squad.

But they had little answer to Aussie Ryan Broekhoff, who shot 7/8 3pt in his game-high 25 points. The Emus forced the JTBs into 23 turnovers and, as a result, attempted 20 more field goal than their rivals.

They also enjoyed a 46-32 scoring advantage in the paint.

Guards Brook Ruscoe-Taiaroa and Dion Prewster led New Zealand with 17 points each, both adding seven rebounds, but also incurring five turnovers each.

After falling 10 points behind in the opening quarter, the Junior Tall Blacks actually held their own for the rest of the half, closing within a point midway through the second period. But Australia compiled five answered points over the 3m 28s into the break to swing momentum back their way.

Earlier, the Junior Tall Ferns were never really in the hunt against their more experienced rivals, slipping seven points behind after the opening stanza and never getting any closer to lose 43-71. They shot poorly, converting just 22% FG, failing to connect from behind the arc (0/7) and unable to take advantage of frequent visits to the free throw line (17/32).

Aussie Liz Cambage compiled a double double of 14 points/11 rebounds, while Canterbury guard Erin Rooney as the best of the Kiwis with 12 points (5/9 FG, 2/4 FT).

FIBA Oceania U19 Championships

Adelaide
Friday, August 1
Women
Australia 71 (Liz Cambage 14) NZ Junior Tall Ferns 43 (Erin Rooney 12)
Q 14-7
HT 34-19 (20-12)
3Q 49-29 (15-10)
FT 71-43 (22-14)
Box Score – Australian Gems v Junior Tall Ferns

Men
Australia 94 (Ryan Broekhoff 25) NZ Junior Tall Blacks 67 (Dion Prewster & Brooke Ruscoe-Taiaroa 17, David Beck 12)
Q 24-14
HT 41-31 (17-18)
3Q 63-50 (22-19)
FT 94-67 (31-16)
Box Score – Australian Emus v Junior Tall Blacks

Saturday, August 2
Australian Gems v NZ Junior Tall Ferns 7.30pm NZ
Australian Emus v NZ Junior Tall Blacks 9.30pm NZ

Sunday, August 3
Australian Gems v NZ Junior Tall Ferns 1.30pm NZ
Australian Emus v NZ Junior Tall Blacks 3.30pm NZ