Basketball New Zealand

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NZ Tall Fern forward Lisa Wallbutton (John Cowpland)

The NZ Tall Ferns wilted before a three-point blitz from Korea, winding up their William Jones Cup campaign with a 60-69 loss.

Forward Lisa Wallbutton led the Kiwis with 13 points (4/9 FG, 5/10 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and two steals.

New Zealand began the contest in unconvincing fashion and trailed by 17 points at halftime before rallying over the final 10 minutes. They enjoyed more than their share of possession, but the Koreans shot 10/22 (45%) from the arc to provide a winning edge.

International rookies Suzie Bates (11 points/seven rebounds) and Toni Edmondson (eight points, six rebounds, five assists & two blocks), both from Otago, also showed they were not out of place at his level.

But point guard Angela Marino, who began the week under an injury cloud, aggravated her sprained ankle the previous night against Athletes In Action and did not take the court.

The Ferns finished their tournament with a 2-4 record, defeating Taiwan White and Japan Universities. Their next outing will be a tournament in Italy (September 12-18), their final hit-out before the Oceania Championships later that month.

William Jones Cup

Taiwan
Tuesday, July 17
Korea 69 (Kim Eun-Kyoung 19) NZ Tall Ferns 60 (Lisa Wallbutton 13, Suzie Bates 11)
Quarter 21-8
Halftime 33-16 (12-8)
Threequarter 54-33 (21-17)
Fulltime 69-60 (15-27)