Tall Ferns just short of Brazil at qualifying event
The Tall Ferns have finished just short of completing a fourth quarter comeback against Brazil, falling 53-56 to South American powerhouses at the Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico.
In a close first half saw the Tall Ferns locked level with the Brazilians, center Lauren Whittaker carrying most of the scoring load for New Zealand with 15 points in the half.
LATEST HEADLINES:
Ekenasio West Coast Fever netball
Brazil owned the third quarter, opening the period on a 13-2 run to create a bit of breathing space. Emme Shearer and Pahlyss Hokianga each knocked down triples with under a minute to go in the quarter to close the gap to seven points at the turn of the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Kiwi’s looked to close the gap further. Shearer’s 8 points in the clutch time, that got the Tall Ferns within touching distance. After subbing in for fellow Portland Pilot, Flo Dallow, Shearer’s immediate impact was felt when she knocked down a triple, closing the gap to just 3.
Brazil’s Bella Nascimento, Iza Sangalli and Aaliyah Guyton all scoring to extend the lead back out to six, before Shearer’s converted an incredible four-point play attempt, cutting the lead again to three.
However, Brazil would fend off the New Zealand fightback, escaping the grasp of the Tall Ferns and coming out winners, 56-53.
Lauren Whittaker finished scored 21 point total, 11 rebound double-double.
Coach Nat Hurst although disappointed in the Ferns slow start, praising the fight and stick-to-it-tiveness of the group this afternoon.
“Credit to our group, we didn’t give up. We know that margins matter, so the girls fought till the end. We just have to have that aggression at the start of the game, rather than waiting till we’ve dug ourselves a hole, but again to be able to give ourselves a chance to maybe win this game is pretty pleasing for me.”
New Zealand have a day-off, before taking on South Sudan on Friday morning at 8:45am (NZT).
Tall Ferns 53 (L.Whittaker 21p, 11r, Shearer 13p, Hokianga 6p) Brazil 56 (Guyton 18p, Nascimento 10p, Oliveira 9p).
Q1: NZL 8 – 12 BRA
HT: NZL 22 – 22 BRA
Q3: NZL 36 – 41 BRA
FT: NZL 53 – 56 BRA
