Latest news with #TallFerns
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Ferns thump Indonesia
The Tall Ferns thumped Indonesia 75-45 in their second group A game of the Fiba Women's Asia Cup in Shenzhen, China, last night. New Zealand's 15 made three-pointers at a 54% clip nearly quadrupled their output from the previous night against South Korea. Rebecca Pizzey's dominance on both ends enabled her to finish with a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double, while captain Esra McGoldrick top-scored with 18 points and added six rebounds.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Basketball: Tall Ferns finish 5th at Asia Cup after gutsy win over Philippines
New Zealand basketballer McKenna Dale in action at the 2025 FIBA Women's Asia Cup. Photo: ADEK BERRY New Zealand has finished fifth at the 2025 FIBA Women's Asia Cup, after posting a 78-71 win over the Philippines in Shenzhen, China. It was a gutsy victory for the Tall Ferns in the topsy-turvey 5th/6th playoff match, with key players Esra McGoldrick, Emme Shearer and McKenna Dale again to the fore. New Zealand started strongly, leading the Philippines by six points at the end of the first quarter, only to have the lead cut to four by the end of the first half. The Philippines then had their best quarter, outscoring the New Zealanders by seven points to take a three-point lead into the final quarter. But New Zealand found another gear just when they needed to, as Shearer and Dales nailed key baskets, to get the team back in front. Their superior rebounding was also a big factor in the comeback, as they dominated the glass, out-rebounding their opponents 66-35, with 31 of the rebounds at the offensive end. McGoldrick, who is also the captain, finished the game with 17 points, seven rebounds, while Shearer had 16 points, six rebounds and four assists. Dale contributed strongly as well with 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Coach Natalie Hurst said it had been a period of adjustment for the squad. "We don't really talk about our lead up, but with this particular group, you know, I had a Tall Ferns squad in May, we had four days of practice. We played three games against the Opals, then I get a Tall Ferns squad in July with five people changed. We have three practices and two practice matches and then we come to Asia Cup. "With the new staff, I've had eight practices in total, with two different squads, and we've come out and we've done ourselves proud here at the Asia Cup," she said. Shearer was also happy with the way the group stuck to their processes throughout the game. "I think we grinded out a really tough game. We stayed together really well as a team, and I think the fact we can go through those ups and downs and still find a way to win and kinda like Nat said - the short amount of time we had together, everyone buying in to what we had to do… at the end of the day, that's what helped us be super successful." The squad and coaching staff will turn their attention to World Cup qualification, which will begin next year. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Basketball: Tall Ferns out of Asia Cup contention
Esra McGoldrick shoots the ball during the match between New Zealand and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen. Photo: LU HANXIN A defeat to world number nine Japan saw the New Zealand women's basketball team miss out on a semi-final spot at the 2025 FIBA Women's Asia Cup in Shenzhen, China. New Zealand lost 77-62, despite an encouraging performance in the first half, which saw them in the lead 41-39 at the major break. Captain Esra McGoldrick was a powerhouse during the first half, scoring 17 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Youngster Bailey Flavell capped off the half in style - hanging in the air for what seemed to last an eternity before flipping up a tough lay-in, just moments before sinking a clutch mid-range runner at the buzzer to give the Tall Ferns a well-earned two-point halftime lead. Japan emerged a different team in the third quarter, as guards Kokoro Tanaka and Noriko Konno took control at the offensive end, while the Tall Ferns struggled to crack some tough defense. Japan ended up outscoring New Zealand 22-8 in the third quarter, and when they went on a 7-0 run to start the final quarter to increase their lead to 19 points, the margin ended up being too big for the Tall Ferns to overhaul. McGoldrick, finishing the game with 28 points and 12 rebounds, continued to battle hard, scoring five straight points to try and spark her teammates, before assisting a McKenna Dale three-pointer that briefly cut the lead to 10. But another Japanese surge halted any hopes of a comeback, as they closed out the game to advance to the semi-final against hosts China. The result left coach Nat Hurst in a reflective mood. "First 20 minutes we're pretty happy with. We wanted to fix a couple of things at halftime and I just think we came out in the third quarter and the game got a little bit away from us. But we were able to get back to what looked like us in the fourth, so happy about the bounce-back. "The fight that the girls show every game, every minute to prep themselves for this, all that kind of stuff… to continue to fight for 40 minutes when things were down, just super proud to head coach this team." New Zealand's final match of the tournament will be against the Philippines later on Saturday, with the winner finishing in fifth in the eight-team event. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
23-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Two newbies named in Tall Ferns FIBA Asia Cup squad
Tayla Dalton (right) defends against You Tang of China. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Two potential debutants have been named in the Tall Ferns squad for the upcoming FIBA Women's Asia Cup in Shenzhen, China. Head coach Natalie Hurst has named a squad of 12 plus two reserves with Rebecca Pizzey and Olivia Williams in the New Zealand women's basketball team for the first time. "Olivia brings more length on the wing. She's a defensive minded player who shows great instincts at that end, and isn't afraid to make a big play at the offensive end as well. Rebecca is a high IQ player. She also has great length at the defensive end and can stretch the floor at the offensive end. Another mobile big who can handle the ball for us, which is incredibly valuable with Sharne Robati not being available," Hurst said. The squad maintains a solid-core group of players from May's Trans-Tasman Throwdown, with guard Tayla Dalton returning, University of Hawai'i standout Ritorya Tamilo, and forward Charlotte Whittaker who has recently finished her French season with Toulouse. "I'm excited about a few things with this group, including the mix of youth and experience we have. Especially getting access to some of the ladies either finishing college or on their breaks, so we're stoked to welcome them into the group. Obviously with the Trans-Tasman Throwdown we blooded a lot of new squad members, who we now see heading to their first Asia Cup." The team is in a tough group alongside China, Indonesia and Korea. "We target the first two games and then see what happens from there," Hurst said. The Tall Ferns will get their FIBA Asia Cup campaign started against Korea on July 14th, before backing up against Indonesia the following day. The Tall Ferns final pool play match is against China on 16th July. Hurst said success would be getting through to the next round. McKenna Dale, guard/forward, Tauranga Whai & Mandurah Magic Tayla Dalton, guard, Townsville Flames Bailey Flavell, guard, Northern Kāhu & Launceston Tornadoes Pahlyss Hokianga, guard, Tauranga Whai Esra McGoldrick, guard/forward, Mainland Pouākai & Casey Cavaliers Rebecca Pizzey, forward, Eltham Wildcats* Emme Shearer, guard, Mackay Meteorettes Ashlee Strawbridge, forward, Mainland Pouākai & West Adelaide Bearcats Ritorya Tamilo, centre, University of Hawai'i Ella Tofaeono, forward/centre, Melbourne Tigers Charlotte Whittaker, forward, Toulouse Metropole Basket Olivia Williams, guard, University of California - Irvine* *denotes debutant Reserves: Ella Brow, guard, Baylor University Maia Jones, guard, Santa Clara University
The Advertiser
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Opals thump NZ by 41, clinch Trans-Tasman series
The Opals have sealed the inaugural Trans-Tasman Throwdown by trouncing New Zealand 98-57 on the Sunshine Coast. Australia set up their crushing victory in front of a sellout crowd of 3217 at UniSC Arena on Friday night by hammering the Tall Ferns 29-10 and 28-15 in the opening two quarters. All 12 Opals hit the scoreboard, led by Townsville Fire forward Alex Fowler (15 points), Perth Lynx guard Miela Sowah (15) and Southside Flyers star Maddison Rocci (13). Captain Steph Reid and Courtney Woods chalked up four steals apiece, while three others - Rocci, Issy Borlase and Abbey Ellis - had three steals in a dominant defensive display. The only negative for the Aussies was a left shoulder injury to Ellis, who was forced to exit the contest in the second quarter before sitting on the bench for the rest of the match with her AC joint taped. Sharne Robati (14 points) and skipper Esra McGoldrick (11) led the way for the Kiwis, who came undone by surrendering a whopping 26 turnovers. From a modest 9-8 lead, the Opals effectively ended the contest by going on a 16-0 spree to gallop ahead 25-8. The Tall Ferns were utterly uncompetitive from the get-go, out-rebounded 16-6 in the opening term and coughing up eight turnovers. NZ committed another eight second-quarter cough-ups to have a staggering 16 turnovers at half-time as Australia strengthened their grip on the contest to hold sway 57-25. Rocci was giving the Tall Ferns headaches at both ends, while Sowah and Borlase continued to provide punch off the bench. The third quarter started in a similar vein, with NZ conceding two sloppy turnovers in the first 23 seconds. They raised their game to show some belated fight, with McGoldrick spearheading a 9-0 burst to help them win the quarter 21-18. Australia responded impressively, starting the fourth term with a 10-2 run to outscore NZ 23-11 for the period. The Opals, who won the opening game in Adelaide by 18 points, hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the first bilateral series between the nations since 2015. Game three takes place at Hamilton, New Zealand, on Sunday. The Opals have sealed the inaugural Trans-Tasman Throwdown by trouncing New Zealand 98-57 on the Sunshine Coast. Australia set up their crushing victory in front of a sellout crowd of 3217 at UniSC Arena on Friday night by hammering the Tall Ferns 29-10 and 28-15 in the opening two quarters. All 12 Opals hit the scoreboard, led by Townsville Fire forward Alex Fowler (15 points), Perth Lynx guard Miela Sowah (15) and Southside Flyers star Maddison Rocci (13). Captain Steph Reid and Courtney Woods chalked up four steals apiece, while three others - Rocci, Issy Borlase and Abbey Ellis - had three steals in a dominant defensive display. The only negative for the Aussies was a left shoulder injury to Ellis, who was forced to exit the contest in the second quarter before sitting on the bench for the rest of the match with her AC joint taped. Sharne Robati (14 points) and skipper Esra McGoldrick (11) led the way for the Kiwis, who came undone by surrendering a whopping 26 turnovers. From a modest 9-8 lead, the Opals effectively ended the contest by going on a 16-0 spree to gallop ahead 25-8. The Tall Ferns were utterly uncompetitive from the get-go, out-rebounded 16-6 in the opening term and coughing up eight turnovers. NZ committed another eight second-quarter cough-ups to have a staggering 16 turnovers at half-time as Australia strengthened their grip on the contest to hold sway 57-25. Rocci was giving the Tall Ferns headaches at both ends, while Sowah and Borlase continued to provide punch off the bench. The third quarter started in a similar vein, with NZ conceding two sloppy turnovers in the first 23 seconds. They raised their game to show some belated fight, with McGoldrick spearheading a 9-0 burst to help them win the quarter 21-18. Australia responded impressively, starting the fourth term with a 10-2 run to outscore NZ 23-11 for the period. The Opals, who won the opening game in Adelaide by 18 points, hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the first bilateral series between the nations since 2015. Game three takes place at Hamilton, New Zealand, on Sunday. The Opals have sealed the inaugural Trans-Tasman Throwdown by trouncing New Zealand 98-57 on the Sunshine Coast. Australia set up their crushing victory in front of a sellout crowd of 3217 at UniSC Arena on Friday night by hammering the Tall Ferns 29-10 and 28-15 in the opening two quarters. All 12 Opals hit the scoreboard, led by Townsville Fire forward Alex Fowler (15 points), Perth Lynx guard Miela Sowah (15) and Southside Flyers star Maddison Rocci (13). Captain Steph Reid and Courtney Woods chalked up four steals apiece, while three others - Rocci, Issy Borlase and Abbey Ellis - had three steals in a dominant defensive display. The only negative for the Aussies was a left shoulder injury to Ellis, who was forced to exit the contest in the second quarter before sitting on the bench for the rest of the match with her AC joint taped. Sharne Robati (14 points) and skipper Esra McGoldrick (11) led the way for the Kiwis, who came undone by surrendering a whopping 26 turnovers. From a modest 9-8 lead, the Opals effectively ended the contest by going on a 16-0 spree to gallop ahead 25-8. The Tall Ferns were utterly uncompetitive from the get-go, out-rebounded 16-6 in the opening term and coughing up eight turnovers. NZ committed another eight second-quarter cough-ups to have a staggering 16 turnovers at half-time as Australia strengthened their grip on the contest to hold sway 57-25. Rocci was giving the Tall Ferns headaches at both ends, while Sowah and Borlase continued to provide punch off the bench. The third quarter started in a similar vein, with NZ conceding two sloppy turnovers in the first 23 seconds. They raised their game to show some belated fight, with McGoldrick spearheading a 9-0 burst to help them win the quarter 21-18. Australia responded impressively, starting the fourth term with a 10-2 run to outscore NZ 23-11 for the period. The Opals, who won the opening game in Adelaide by 18 points, hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the first bilateral series between the nations since 2015. Game three takes place at Hamilton, New Zealand, on Sunday.
