The Tall Ferns have fallen to hosts Mexico 64-71 in a difficult loss, dropping to 0-2 at the FIBA Women's World Cup Pre-Qualifiers in Mexico City.
After New Zealand took an 11-point lead into the half - thanks to an impressive 26-9 quarter -the home side rallied in the second half to secure their second win in as many games on Wednesday (Thursday NZ Time).
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They were led by Gabriela Jaquez and her 22 points, with the Mexicans hitting seven triples in the second half after making just one in the first.
New Zealand were led by 14 points and six rebounds from Tera Reed, while Ritorya Tamilo had another strong game, with 13 points and eight rebounds. Penina Davidson had nine points, six rebounds four assists.
After some early back and forth in the first, a 10-0 run by Mexico put them up 20-11 with less than two minutes left in the period. New Zealand responded with a 12-0 run of their own early in the second quarter; the Kiwis piling on the points in the period to the tune of 26-9.
Reed chalked up up 10 points, as New Zealand hit 5 of 10 triples – including two each from Ella Fotu and Esra McGoldrick.
Scoring was harder to come by for both teams in the third; Mexico outscoring the Kiwis 15-11 in the period behind the increasingly raucous home crowd. The final quarter saw Mexico tie the game up early, before a 7-0 run from New Zealand - capped by a Dale triple - gave the Kiwis a seven point lead with five minutes remaining.
Undaunted, Mexico executed well down the stretch, going on a 10-0 that included a pair of tough triples to seal the win and move to 2-0 in the tournament.
Following the game, 2dgerees Tall Ferns Coach, Natalie Hurst says that Mexico made all the big plays down the stretch to secure a gutsy win.
“Credit to Mexico tonight; we got out-hustled – especially down the stretch when big plays needed to happen - and they made them, so credit to them,” said Hurst
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“I think losing Tera when we did [to injury], she was our energy, she was getting to the rim and making things happen. So that was a huge loss for us; if we could’ve gotten more minutes out of her then maybe the result might’ve been different for us.”
The Tall Ferns will play their final pool game against Mozambique on Thursday (tip-off 11.30am Friday NZT).
While out of contention at the Pre-Qualifier, the Tall Ferns have another chance to qualify for the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup by finishing in the top-six at the 2025 FIBA Women's Asia Cup next July in China.
Mexico 71 (Gabriela Jaquez 22, Karla Martinez 16, Myriam Lara 10, Claudia Ramos 10) Tall Ferns 64 (Tera Reed 14, Ritorya Tamilo 13). 1Q: 14-20, HT: 29-40, 3Q: 44-51
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