Basketball: Big defence key to easy Indian win

New Zealand 98 India 58

The New Zealand Tall Ferns proved themselves quick learners, rebounding from a narrow escape two days earlier to beat India 98-58 in the second of their three-game series at Waitakere's Trusts Stadium.

After surprising the Kiwis with their three-point prowess in an 11-point loss in game one, the Indians were not allowed that opportunity in the return encounter, shooting just two out of 12 from beyond the arc in the first half as they fell 32 points behind.

"The big adjustment we needed to make was defending their three-point game," said Ferns coach Mike McHugh. "I thought we did that very well."

New Zealand stretched their advantage to 47 points by the end of the third quarter but India took the final quarter 18-11.

Harbour duo Lisa Wallbutton (17 points) and Micaela Cocks (14 points) led the Ferns scoring effort.

Cocks, whose late three-pointer finally sealed the first test for her team, shot a perfect three out of three from afar.


The men defeated India 102-69.

New Zealand 98 (Lisa Wallbutton 17, Micaela Cocks 14, Rebecca Cotton 12, Angela Marino 12)
India 58 (P Anitha 18, Geethu Anna Jose 13, Divya Singh 10)

- HERALD ON SUNDAY