The Under 16 New Zealand Women went down 79-65 against Queensland North on the opening day of the Australian U16 State Championships in Melbourne on Saturday.
New Zealand began poorly allowing Queensland North to establish a 30-15 opening quarter lead. Exchanges were fairly even after that.
In the second quarter Hawkes Bay’s Rosalia Samia made a three and Sharne Pupuki-Robati made five points but the Kiwis trailed 52-36 at half-time.
Queensland kept the margin around the twenty points mark for most of the second half despite double digit scoring efforts from Samia, guard Caitlin O’Conell, Charlisse Leger-Walker and Pupuke-Robati. The Auckland forward also gathered 15 rebounds.
Experienced guard Leger-Walker fouled out in just 19 minutes, which seriously hampered the New Zealand cause.
New Zealand next face powerful New South Wales Metro on Sunday at 1.30pm local time.
NZ Scorers: Leger-Walker 13, O’Connell 11, Pupuke-Robati 10pts/15rebs, Samia 10, Ella Bradley 6, Gracie Hasler-Ewin 5, Rashaan Smith 3, Jordyn Maddix 3, Briarley Rogers 2
View full stats here.
LACEY LOWDOWN 