Basketball New Zealand

Tall Fern guard Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe (Photosport)

Sharpshooters Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe and Micaela Cocks made their case for Olympic honours as they guided the NZ Tall Ferns to a 69-60 victory over Angola in Madrid.

Both guards began the current tour of Europe very much under the selection microscope and finally found their range against a physical African side that allowed very little room for inside scoring.

All but 20 of the New Zealand points came from their guard line, as the Kiwis chalked up their second win of the trip against the same opponents they defeated by eight in their tour opener last week.

“They monstered us again,” says coach Mike McHugh. “But even though the margin was similar, I felt we played much better tonight, particularly our shooting guards.

“Certainly, Angola had improved, but we improved a bit more … we played with a lot more poise and executed plays much better.”

Angola, ranked 42nd in the world, enjoyed a 41-29 rebounding advantage, but were limited to just eight offensive boards, half as many as the previous encounter.

“We have struggled to keep teams off the boards, even the smaller Japanese, so we really had a focus there tonight. These were six-foot, big, athletic girls, so that was a really good effort.”

It was all the more worthy given that captain Aneka Kerr, the Ferns’ most experienced “big”, sat this game out after suffering concussion against Japan two days ago.

McMeeken-Ruscoe and point guard Angela Marino led the Kiwis with 12 points each, while forward Jillian Harmon snatched 10 rebounds. The team shot an improved 40% FG and 35% 3pt, maintaining their excellent touch (20/24, 84%) from the free throw line.

The victory keeps New Zealand, ranked 16th in the world, on target for their goal of four wins from six tour games, but they must now take out both encounters against the ninth-ranked Czech Republic later this week.

“That will be a very difficult thing to do, although they haven’t been playing that well lately,” observes McHugh. “The Czechs certainly have some quality players and for a long time, they have been projected as a top-five team, but they have never quite lived up to that potential.”

NZ Tall Ferns In Europe

Monday, June 2
Madrid
NZ Tall Ferns 69 (Angela Marino 12, Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe 12, Micaela Cocks 11) Angola 60
Q 19-15
HT 40-34 (21-19)
3Q 55-46 (15-12)
FT 69-60 (14-14)