Northern Mariana Islands Secure First Ever Championship Win

MANGILAO (Guam) – With quarterfinals looming, Northern Mariana Islands stepped up to win their first game of the tournament while Australia took care of New Zealand.

Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) fought their way to victory in the first game of the day against a determined Papua New Guinea (PNG) team, 90-73.

PNG outscored NMI in the second and third quarter but a strong start and finish from the girls from NMI ensured they notched up their first ever FIBA Under 15 Championships win.

For PNG, Gibela Maikai was huge with 34 points with Lahui Hekwa and Clarice Hane both finishing with double doubles.  In the NMI camp, Andrei Chavez and Azriel Fatialofa were the standout performers shooting 76 points between them with Fatialofa notching up 23 rebounds and 6 steals.

“It was awesome, my coaches and team pushed me to strive harder today,” Fatialofa said.  “I’m so glad to be here playing against teams that are taller and better than us, we are a small island but it’s an honour to be here playing at these championships.”

The NMI women have been preparing for these championships and have made history with the countries first win at this tournament and Fatialofa said they will only get better.  “We are going to come harder and stronger, keep on practising and practising to get better with our skills.”

In the gold medal re-match from the FIBA U15 Women’s Championships 2018, Austral took care of business against a competitive New Zealand line-up, 115-57.

Australia shot out of the gates early to lead 34-11 at quarter time and they didn’t look back extending their lead each quarter despite a strong second and third quarter from the kiwis.  Zenthia Stowers was good for New Zealand off the bench with Baily Flavell and Sophia Hickey also putting together solid games.

Jesse-May Hall led from the front again to finish with 26 points and be the top performer of the game, while Jade Crook was impressive off the bench with 12 rebounds.  Zoe Jackson was consistent and shooting at 70 per cent, Sienna Lehmann finished with 15 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds.

“From the start, heading into this game we knew it was going to be tough especially with our rivalry,” Lehmann said.  “We probably didn’t do as well as we wanted to, we could have locked down a bit more on the half court, but it was good to get the win, and everyone did their job."

“Key messaging for us leading into the game was d-trans, we knew they (NZL) love to push offensively so we had to make sure we pick up the basket and then the ball to contain and stay in front.  We love to get out and get a good start so then our bench can come in and get a good run.”

Day four and quarterfinals of the FIBA Under 15 Oceania Championship tips off at University of Guam, Calvo Field House with New Zealand taking on Guam at 9:00am and Samoa coming up against Northern Mariana Islands at 1:30pm local time.

The FIBA U15 Oceanian Championships serve as qualifiers for the FIBA U16 Asian Championships 2023 with the top two teams going through.  The FIBA U15 Oceania Championships will be hosted in Guam from November 21 to November 26 - Follow the event here

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