Tall Ferns post upset win in Asia Cup opener

Tall Fern Charlisse Leger-Walker was dominant in New Zealand’s opening game of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup.
Photo: David Neilson/ Photosport

The Tall Ferns have opened their FIBA Women’s Asia Cup campaign with an upset 66-64 win over Korea in Sydney.

Ranked 29th in the world New Zealand kept the 12th ranked Korea at bay from the tip off with a 20-12 lead after the first quarter.

Experienced Tall Ferns Penina Davidson and Charlisse Leger-Walker could barely miss the basket in the first half as New Zealand took a 41-25 lead into the major break.

New Zealand’s dominance was helped by strong defensive rebounding as Korea struggled to get their shots to drop during the first half.

Korea’s WNBA-playing centre Ji Su Park had 23 shot attempts but could only convert eight for 18 points in the game.

Korea fought back in the third quarter, restricting the Tall Ferns to 11 points for the quarter, while scoring 21 of their own.

The Tall Ferns began the final quarter with a six point lead and Korea levelled the score for the first time in the game with just over three minutes remaining.

A tense final few minutes ensued as New Zealand clung on for victory.

Davidson played big minutes and top-scored for the Tall Ferns with 24 points and 10 rebounds, Charlisse Leger-Walker scored 20 points, Tera Reed was strong at both ends of the floor with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

For Korea, Leesul Kang was the joint leading scorer with 18 points.

A shoulder injury for former Australia age-group representative Tahlia Tupaea in her first game for the Tall Ferns did not stop her from playing 24 minutes.

New Zealand need to finish in the top four of the eight team tournament to move closer to securing a spot at next year’s Paris Olympic Games.

The Tall Ferns second game of the tournament is against world number 2 China on Tuesday night followed by a first meeting with Lebanon on Wednesday.

-RNZ