KEY POINTS:
Otago guard Suzie Bates scored the winning basket as the New Zealand women's basketball team opened their William Jones Cup campaign with a 51-50 win over Taiwan White in Taiwan on Thursday.
With a string of injuries, including point guard Angela Marino and centre Karlene Kingi, they received a further blow when starting point guard and captain Noni Wharemate ran into foul trouble and left the game early.
The Tall Ferns got off to a slow start and trailed 13-20 after the opening quarter. But they rallied through the middle stages, leading by four points into the final stage and holding off a determined home team in the closing minutes.
Deputising for Wharemate, Bates scored six of New Zealand's final 10 points, finishing with a personal return of 10 points, three rebounds, two steals and two assists.
"It was nice to come away with a win, but there is a lot of improvement to be made," the team's assistant coach Leigh Gooding said.
Gooding is guiding the team while coach Mike McHugh is away in England for his son's wedding.
"We need to show poise and look to execute more efficiently."
Forward Lisa Wallbutton led the scoring with 11 points and nine rebounds. New Zealand dominated the boards, grabbing 17 offensive rebounds.
Centre Jess McCormack managed 10 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks.
New Zealand will meet Australia next.
NZ Tall Ferns 51 (Lisa Wallbutton 11, Jess McCormack 10, Suzie Bates 10, Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe 10) Taiwan White 50 (Yi-Feng Chen 12)
Quarter time 13-20, halftime 28-29 (15-9), threequarter time 43-39 (15-10), fulltime 51-50 (8-11).
- NZPA
