Mills Leads ETBs To Big Win
Tagged in: FIBA Oceania, National Teams
The New Zealand Emerging Tall Blacks had seven players score in double-figures as they overwhelmed the hosts, Northern Mariana Islands, 93-56, on the opening day of the FIBA Oceania Tournament in Saipan on Sunday.
Porirua’s Jordan Mills top-scored with 20 points (7/13 FG, 3/8 3pt, 3/4 FT), adding five rebounds, four assists and two steals in 24 minutes as the national U21 squad romped to the 37-point win.
Otago’s Luke Aston posted a double-double with 12 points (6/14 FG, 0/2 3pt, 0/1 FT) and 10 rebounds, along with five assists, for the Jeff Green-coached team, who ran all over the locals 25-4 in the second quarter, taking a 47-18 lead into halftime.
Northern Mariana Islands even things up in the third period, winning 23-20, before the Kiwis finished strongly with a 26-15 fourth quarter.
Otago guard Hayden Miller was New Zealand’s second-leading scorer with 14 points (4/6 FG, 1/1 3pt, 5/7 FT), while Daniel Green, Joe Maiava, Hemi Joyce-Gay and Jake Ashby all contributed 10 points. Ashby finished with eight boards and Joyce-Gay seven.
The New Zealand Emerging Tall Ferns, coached by Counties Manukau’s Tania Hunter, open their tournament on Monday at 2pm (NZ time) against Guam, while the Emerging Tall Blacks next play on Tuesday at 12pm (NZ time) against Australia.
FIBA Oceania Tournament
Sunday, June 21
New Zealand 93 (Jordan Mills 20, Hayden Miller 14, Luke Aston 12, Daniel Green 10, Joe Maiava 10, Hemi Joyce-Gay 10, Jake Ashby 10) Northern Mariana Islands 56 (Jericho Cruz 16, Pete Iguel 12, Marvin Rabauliman 10)
1Q: 22-14
HT: 47-18 (25-4)
3Q: 67-41 (20-23)
FT: 93-56 (26-15)
