Tall Ferns finish second in group at Asia Cup | NZ FIJI TIMES

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Update: 7:12am – The New Zealand women’s basketball team have finished second in their pool at the Asia Cup tournament in Banglaore after beating Chinese Taipei 59-53.

The Tall Ferns were 17 down in the first half but came back with the help of Kalani Purcell who scored 22 points and nabbed 13 rebounds and Jillian Harmon who got 15 points and 15 rebounds.

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The Tall Ferns celebrate their win over Chinese Taipei. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Chevannah Paalvast was only the third scorer in the fourth quarter to keep the Tall Ferns ahead 49-46 with only three minutes on the clock, two offensive rebounds let Natalie Taylor extend the lead to 52-48 with 1.30 to play.

They will play South Korea in the quarter-finals tomorrow, the top four teams from the Asia Cup qualify for next year’s World Championships.

Coach Kennedy Kereama said the sides defensive effort was the key to the victory.

“We showed real mental toughness today, overall we did a really good job.”

-RNZ

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