The Tall Ferns New Zealand women’s basketball team put on a final quarter scoring display to beat Argentina 57-35 in their opening game at the FIBA pre-Olympic qualifying tournament in Mexico.
An inexperienced New Zealand side won the final stanza 21-3 to blow open what had been a tight affair in Guadalajara.
Their lead had been no greater than six points through the first three quarters, at which point they led 36-32.
The Nat Hurst coached team increased their defensive pressure down the stretch, forcing a host of missed shots.
The Ferns offence flowed from their tight defence, allowing Ella Brow (14 points), fellow-guard Emilia Shearer (12) and centre Lauren Whittaker the third player to reach double figures wiith 11.
Ella Tofaeona pulled in seven rebounds, three assists and nine points.
Hurst gave debuts to University of Portland player Florence Dallow and 16-year-old Auckland schoolgirl Imani Rasmussen, who became the fourth youngest Tall Fern.
Westlake Girls’ High star Rasmussen has come off an impressive campaign for the New Zealand side who placed fifth at the recent under-17 women’s World Cup in Czechia.
New Zealand’s second game is against Brazil on Wednesday afternoon before they face South Sudan on Friday morning.
South Sudan needed overtime to beat Brazil 63-61 in the other group match.
The top two teams from the group advance to semi-finals and the ultimate tournament winners will advance directly to a further qualifying tournament
