The Sky Sport Tall Ferns have gone one place better than 2017 at the FIBA Asia Cup in Bangalore, India.
When the two teams met at the previous Asia Cup that year Chinese Taipei beat the Tall Ferns 65-45 to claim fifth place but the placings were reversed on Saturday night, the Tall Ferns winning 71-56.
All 12 players hit the court including a welcome return from illness for Ella Fotu.
Micaela Cocks led the Tall Ferns scoring with 18 points while Kalani Purcell was within a point of a double-double with 9 points and 11 rebounds.
Other scorers for the Tall Ferns were: Nat Taylor 12, Stella Beck 9, Tessa Boagni 7, Ashleigh Karaitiana 7, Ella Fotu 4, Chev Paalvast 3, Charlisse Leger-Walker 2.
Cocks led the New Zealand scoring at the tournament averaging 10.8 points per game, Purcell (7.6rpg) was comfortably the highest rebounder and she also dished the most assists (2.8apg).
Tessa Boagni finished with the best field goal percentage making 14 shots from 35 at 40% and Cocks was the best three-point shooter – 10/26 at 39%. The Tall Ferns veteran was also the best free-throw shooter making all 6 of her shots from the charity stripe.
LACEY LOWDOWN 