Basketball: Tall Ferns forced to work for win

Donna Loffhagen chipped in with a lay up to secure the victory. Sandra Mu / Getty Images

The Commonwealth Games bound Tall Ferns were given a decent workout by India last night escaping with a hard fought 85-74 win in the first match of an international series in Auckland.

The New Zealand women's basketball team, ranked 19th in the world, were forced to pull out all stops in the last quarter to beat the Indians, who were on their first visit to New Zealand.

With less than a minute to play the New Zealanders were just three points ahead. Instrumental guard Angela Marino nailed a succession of free throws in the dying seconds and captain Donna Loffhagen chipped in with a lay up which secured the New Zealanders the win at the North Shore Events Centre.

Going into the match the Indian side, ranked 22 places behind New Zealand, were an unknown quantity.

However, they soon proved worthy opponents. Although they weren't as physically imposing as the Tall Ferns, they were equally effective on defence and successful in nabbing three pointers at crucial times.

The Tall Ferns starting five, captain Donna Loffhagen, Angela Marino, Rebecca Cotton, Jessica McCormack and Kate McMeeken-Roscoe, secured the home side an early advantage but three consecutive three pointers from the Indians saw them close the gap.

Ahead 24-21 at the first break, the New Zealanders made little ground in the second quarter and struggled to find the hoop and a way through their opponents rangy defence.

The Tall Ferns edged ahead early in the third quarter but just when it looked like they were about to extend their lead the Indians came back and went into the last quarter trailing the New Zealanders by just two 59-57.

The Tall Ferns took control in the early stages of the last quarter, which was what possibly won the match, as again the Indians found a way back.

The international series sees the Tall Ferns and the Tall Blacks take on India in three matches. Tomorrow's matches are at Waitakere Stadium and the third on Sunday at the North Shore Events Centre.