NZ U17 women's team looks strong in win over Mexico

After an opening game loss, the NZ U17 Women’s National team have bounced back with a strong performance to defeat hosts Mexico 98-71 at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup. Leading by just two points (39-37) at half-time, the Kiwis took control of the contest in the third period; outscoring Mexico 33-18 before closing out a comfortable win in the fourth. After scoring 24 points in the loss to Italy the day before, Bailey Flavell again led the New Zealand effort – amassing 25 points while shooting 9/14 (64%) from the field and 5/10 (50%) from beyond the arc. The North Harbour guard also contributed 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks in a standout performance. Keriana-Marie Hippolite (168-G-2007) was also highly influential with 16 points and 6 assists, while forwards Kodee Williams-Sefo (13 points and 6 rebounds), Olivia Hastings (13 points and 9 rebounds) and Waikimihia Douglas-Karauna (173-F-2007) (8 points and 7 rebounds) helped New Zealand win the battle on the boards 54-44. Cassidy Thomson (166-PG-2007) ( 3 points and 3 assists) also played a key role in the victory, as her tenacious defence limited the effectiveness of dangerous Mexican shooting guard Sofia Acuna (176-PG-2007). New Zealand shot 46% (32/70) from the field and 10 from 36 (28%) from downtown while restricting Mexico to 38% (30/79) from the field. The Kiwis scored from their first two possessions of the game courtesy of a Williams-Sefo triple, followed by a drive from Hippolite. Flavell then increased the advantage to 10-2 before Mexico hit back with an 11-1 burst – that was soon wiped out by a Hippolite triple. Chanel Enriquez-Paea and Graecyn Parahi (178-F-2007) added points but a buzzer beating-three carried the hosts to a 22-19 quarter time lead. The Kiwis had the better of the second period as they built a 39-33 lead, before giving up two turnovers in the last 20 seconds of the quarter to see their advantage cut to 39-37. New Zealand had begun the stanza in encouraging fashion, with an Enriquez-Paea floater and a tricky Flavell lay-up preceding an inside effort from Hastings and a Chanel Enriquez-Paea sideline three. Spurred on by the home supporters, Mexico drew level at 31 points apiece before a 4-point play from Flavell and a Hippolite score carried the New Zealand advantage to six ahead of those late blemishes. New Zealand dominated the third period, outscoring their opponents 33-18 as the quartet of Hastings, Hippolite, Flavell and Williams-Sefo put their collective stamp on proceedings by combining for 27 points. Ahead 72-55 at the three-quarter mark, New Zealand extended their lead to 24 points at one stage and had little trouble in closing out the victory. Following a day off New Zealand is set for a key matchup with African champions Mali on Wednesday 17 July at 29.30am NZT. A victory would see the Kiwis claim second place on the Group B standings.
Courtesy of: nz.basketball