The Tall Ferns have picked up an impressive win in the third and final game of the FIBA Women's World Cup Pre-Qualifiers in Mexico City.
Behind the dominating play of forwards Lauren Whittaker and Esra McGoldrick and a runaway second quarter, the Tall Ferns downed Mozambique 79-63 in Mexico City on Thursday (Friday NZ Time).
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After leading by just two points at the end of the first, the Kiwis went on a tear; outscoring Mozambique 30-18 while nailing five triples in the second.
McGoldrick shined with 13 points and 11 rebounds at the break. Then it was Whittaker’s turn to take over, as she scored 16 of her game-high 27 points in the second half to help secure the victory.
New Zealand were led by Whittaker’s 27 points and eight rebounds, with McGoldrick adding 15 points, while pulling down a mammoth 18 rebounds, including five on the offensive glass.
McKenna Dale added 12 points and seven rebounds, Bailey Flavell eight and Ella Fotu seven, and Ritorya Tamilo had 10 boards and five assists. Penina Davidson and Tera Reed sat out the game due to injury.
For Mozambique, Ingvild Mucauro had 14 points and five steals, while Chanaya Pinto added 13 points and Carla Covane scored 12.
As expected, the Tall Ferns dominated on the glass – with a whopping 65-32 advantage, including 18 offensive boards. The Kiwis also out-shot Mozambique, 42 percent to 31 percent, although Mozambique had an 16-8 advantage in steals, which led to 21 points off turnovers.
Following the game, interim Tall Ferns head coach Natalie Hurst said she loved what she saw from her team.
“I think we got better and better every game, our first game against Montenegro was our first hit-out with this particular group, and we just kept building,” says Hurst.
“Unlucky for us last night [losing to Mexico], but to come out today without two starters and to finish as strong as we did – it’s extremely pleasing and a great way to walk away from this tournament.”
McGoldrick says that the squad focused on both improving in, and learning from, each game of the tournament.
“Just building [up each game] and after having those two previous games – for us to just to come out here today and compete is what we wanted to do,” says McGoldrick.
“It’s a new group as [Coach] Nat said so it’s about building on each game and getting better. Tonight we put a few of the puzzle pieces together – and we came out tonight and just gave it everything.”
Coach Hurst said she was excited to see what the Tall Ferns will look like in the future, given the play of this squad’s youngest athletes during the tournament – Bailey Flavell and Pahlyss Hokianga.
“We see [Bailey and Pahlyss] as future Tall Ferns, and we’re trying to speed up their [development] to get them ready to be part of the squad full-time. So it’s a great opportunity for them to come in.
"For 16- and 17-year-olds to come out and hold their own in three tough games, it's extremely pleasing and it’s exciting for basketball in New Zealand moving forward.”
New Zealand’s next chance to qualify for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup comes at next year’s FIBA Women’s Asia Cup, where they need to finish in the top-six.
Tall Ferns 79 (Lauren Whittaker 27, Esra McGoldrick 16, McKenna Dale 12) Mozambique 63 (Ingvild Mucauro 14, Chanaya Pinto 13, Carla Covane 12). 1Q: 14-12, HT: 44-30, 3Q: 64-50