Latest news with #Trans-TasmanThrowdown
The Advertiser
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Opals thump NZ by 41, clinch Trans-Tasman series
The Opals have sealed the inaugural Trans-Tasman Throwdown by trouncing New Zealand 98-57 on the Sunshine Coast. Australia set up their crushing victory in front of a sellout crowd of 3217 at UniSC Arena on Friday night by hammering the Tall Ferns 29-10 and 28-15 in the opening two quarters. All 12 Opals hit the scoreboard, led by Townsville Fire forward Alex Fowler (15 points), Perth Lynx guard Miela Sowah (15) and Southside Flyers star Maddison Rocci (13). Captain Steph Reid and Courtney Woods chalked up four steals apiece, while three others - Rocci, Issy Borlase and Abbey Ellis - had three steals in a dominant defensive display. The only negative for the Aussies was a left shoulder injury to Ellis, who was forced to exit the contest in the second quarter before sitting on the bench for the rest of the match with her AC joint taped. Sharne Robati (14 points) and skipper Esra McGoldrick (11) led the way for the Kiwis, who came undone by surrendering a whopping 26 turnovers. From a modest 9-8 lead, the Opals effectively ended the contest by going on a 16-0 spree to gallop ahead 25-8. The Tall Ferns were utterly uncompetitive from the get-go, out-rebounded 16-6 in the opening term and coughing up eight turnovers. NZ committed another eight second-quarter cough-ups to have a staggering 16 turnovers at half-time as Australia strengthened their grip on the contest to hold sway 57-25. Rocci was giving the Tall Ferns headaches at both ends, while Sowah and Borlase continued to provide punch off the bench. The third quarter started in a similar vein, with NZ conceding two sloppy turnovers in the first 23 seconds. They raised their game to show some belated fight, with McGoldrick spearheading a 9-0 burst to help them win the quarter 21-18. Australia responded impressively, starting the fourth term with a 10-2 run to outscore NZ 23-11 for the period. The Opals, who won the opening game in Adelaide by 18 points, hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the first bilateral series between the nations since 2015. Game three takes place at Hamilton, New Zealand, on Sunday. The Opals have sealed the inaugural Trans-Tasman Throwdown by trouncing New Zealand 98-57 on the Sunshine Coast. Australia set up their crushing victory in front of a sellout crowd of 3217 at UniSC Arena on Friday night by hammering the Tall Ferns 29-10 and 28-15 in the opening two quarters. All 12 Opals hit the scoreboard, led by Townsville Fire forward Alex Fowler (15 points), Perth Lynx guard Miela Sowah (15) and Southside Flyers star Maddison Rocci (13). Captain Steph Reid and Courtney Woods chalked up four steals apiece, while three others - Rocci, Issy Borlase and Abbey Ellis - had three steals in a dominant defensive display. The only negative for the Aussies was a left shoulder injury to Ellis, who was forced to exit the contest in the second quarter before sitting on the bench for the rest of the match with her AC joint taped. Sharne Robati (14 points) and skipper Esra McGoldrick (11) led the way for the Kiwis, who came undone by surrendering a whopping 26 turnovers. From a modest 9-8 lead, the Opals effectively ended the contest by going on a 16-0 spree to gallop ahead 25-8. The Tall Ferns were utterly uncompetitive from the get-go, out-rebounded 16-6 in the opening term and coughing up eight turnovers. NZ committed another eight second-quarter cough-ups to have a staggering 16 turnovers at half-time as Australia strengthened their grip on the contest to hold sway 57-25. Rocci was giving the Tall Ferns headaches at both ends, while Sowah and Borlase continued to provide punch off the bench. The third quarter started in a similar vein, with NZ conceding two sloppy turnovers in the first 23 seconds. They raised their game to show some belated fight, with McGoldrick spearheading a 9-0 burst to help them win the quarter 21-18. Australia responded impressively, starting the fourth term with a 10-2 run to outscore NZ 23-11 for the period. The Opals, who won the opening game in Adelaide by 18 points, hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the first bilateral series between the nations since 2015. Game three takes place at Hamilton, New Zealand, on Sunday. The Opals have sealed the inaugural Trans-Tasman Throwdown by trouncing New Zealand 98-57 on the Sunshine Coast. Australia set up their crushing victory in front of a sellout crowd of 3217 at UniSC Arena on Friday night by hammering the Tall Ferns 29-10 and 28-15 in the opening two quarters. All 12 Opals hit the scoreboard, led by Townsville Fire forward Alex Fowler (15 points), Perth Lynx guard Miela Sowah (15) and Southside Flyers star Maddison Rocci (13). Captain Steph Reid and Courtney Woods chalked up four steals apiece, while three others - Rocci, Issy Borlase and Abbey Ellis - had three steals in a dominant defensive display. The only negative for the Aussies was a left shoulder injury to Ellis, who was forced to exit the contest in the second quarter before sitting on the bench for the rest of the match with her AC joint taped. Sharne Robati (14 points) and skipper Esra McGoldrick (11) led the way for the Kiwis, who came undone by surrendering a whopping 26 turnovers. From a modest 9-8 lead, the Opals effectively ended the contest by going on a 16-0 spree to gallop ahead 25-8. The Tall Ferns were utterly uncompetitive from the get-go, out-rebounded 16-6 in the opening term and coughing up eight turnovers. NZ committed another eight second-quarter cough-ups to have a staggering 16 turnovers at half-time as Australia strengthened their grip on the contest to hold sway 57-25. Rocci was giving the Tall Ferns headaches at both ends, while Sowah and Borlase continued to provide punch off the bench. The third quarter started in a similar vein, with NZ conceding two sloppy turnovers in the first 23 seconds. They raised their game to show some belated fight, with McGoldrick spearheading a 9-0 burst to help them win the quarter 21-18. Australia responded impressively, starting the fourth term with a 10-2 run to outscore NZ 23-11 for the period. The Opals, who won the opening game in Adelaide by 18 points, hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the first bilateral series between the nations since 2015. Game three takes place at Hamilton, New Zealand, on Sunday.
The Advertiser
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Boomers thump Tall Blacks to clinch Trans-Tasman series
The Boomers have clinched the inaugural Trans-Tasman Throwdown with an emphatic 92-67 win over New Zealand at a sold-out UniSC Arena. Australia's defence was all over the Tall Blacks early on the Sunshine Coast on Friday night, before the Boomers finished with a flurry on offence, scoring 15 of the last 16 points. Sydney Kings captain Xavier Cooks (16 points, eight rebounds) stepped up impressively after he was well held in Wednesday's series opener in Adelaide. Perth Wildcat Elijah Pepper (12 points, five boards) and Illawarra Hawks' championship-winning veteran Todd Blanchfield (11, six) provided punch off the bench. "That's the way Boomers culture is built," Australia captain Mitch Norton said. "It's not just one guy. We've got a number of guys who can step up and our depth is endless, really. It's really cool to be part of." Reserve Taylor Britt (19 points) and Melbourne United veteran Shea Ili (18) were the standouts for the visitors. The Boomers held the tourists to 21 per cent shooting from the field in the first term to open up an 18-10 quarter-time lead. The second stanza was more free flowing, but still on the terms of the hosts, who got on a roll late with a pair of Blanchfield three-pointers to hold sway 42-28 at half-time. The home side's advantage was out to 18 points before Britt went on a tear for the Tall Blacks, single-handedly outscoring Australia 9-0 in less than two minutes to slice the margin to single digits. The gap was down to six points on a pair of Ili free throws early in the fourth period, before Norton, Cooks and Pepper revived the Aussies, who sprinted to the finish line. The Boomers, who won the opening stoush in Adelaide by 12 points, hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the first bilateral series between the rivals since 2015. The third and final game will be in Hamilton in NZ on Sunday. The Boomers have clinched the inaugural Trans-Tasman Throwdown with an emphatic 92-67 win over New Zealand at a sold-out UniSC Arena. Australia's defence was all over the Tall Blacks early on the Sunshine Coast on Friday night, before the Boomers finished with a flurry on offence, scoring 15 of the last 16 points. Sydney Kings captain Xavier Cooks (16 points, eight rebounds) stepped up impressively after he was well held in Wednesday's series opener in Adelaide. Perth Wildcat Elijah Pepper (12 points, five boards) and Illawarra Hawks' championship-winning veteran Todd Blanchfield (11, six) provided punch off the bench. "That's the way Boomers culture is built," Australia captain Mitch Norton said. "It's not just one guy. We've got a number of guys who can step up and our depth is endless, really. It's really cool to be part of." Reserve Taylor Britt (19 points) and Melbourne United veteran Shea Ili (18) were the standouts for the visitors. The Boomers held the tourists to 21 per cent shooting from the field in the first term to open up an 18-10 quarter-time lead. The second stanza was more free flowing, but still on the terms of the hosts, who got on a roll late with a pair of Blanchfield three-pointers to hold sway 42-28 at half-time. The home side's advantage was out to 18 points before Britt went on a tear for the Tall Blacks, single-handedly outscoring Australia 9-0 in less than two minutes to slice the margin to single digits. The gap was down to six points on a pair of Ili free throws early in the fourth period, before Norton, Cooks and Pepper revived the Aussies, who sprinted to the finish line. The Boomers, who won the opening stoush in Adelaide by 12 points, hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the first bilateral series between the rivals since 2015. The third and final game will be in Hamilton in NZ on Sunday. The Boomers have clinched the inaugural Trans-Tasman Throwdown with an emphatic 92-67 win over New Zealand at a sold-out UniSC Arena. Australia's defence was all over the Tall Blacks early on the Sunshine Coast on Friday night, before the Boomers finished with a flurry on offence, scoring 15 of the last 16 points. Sydney Kings captain Xavier Cooks (16 points, eight rebounds) stepped up impressively after he was well held in Wednesday's series opener in Adelaide. Perth Wildcat Elijah Pepper (12 points, five boards) and Illawarra Hawks' championship-winning veteran Todd Blanchfield (11, six) provided punch off the bench. "That's the way Boomers culture is built," Australia captain Mitch Norton said. "It's not just one guy. We've got a number of guys who can step up and our depth is endless, really. It's really cool to be part of." Reserve Taylor Britt (19 points) and Melbourne United veteran Shea Ili (18) were the standouts for the visitors. The Boomers held the tourists to 21 per cent shooting from the field in the first term to open up an 18-10 quarter-time lead. The second stanza was more free flowing, but still on the terms of the hosts, who got on a roll late with a pair of Blanchfield three-pointers to hold sway 42-28 at half-time. The home side's advantage was out to 18 points before Britt went on a tear for the Tall Blacks, single-handedly outscoring Australia 9-0 in less than two minutes to slice the margin to single digits. The gap was down to six points on a pair of Ili free throws early in the fourth period, before Norton, Cooks and Pepper revived the Aussies, who sprinted to the finish line. The Boomers, who won the opening stoush in Adelaide by 12 points, hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the first bilateral series between the rivals since 2015. The third and final game will be in Hamilton in NZ on Sunday.
Sydney Morning Herald
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Boomers, Opals defeat New Zealand in Trans-Tasman Throwdown openers
Vasiljevic fires Boomers to 80-68 win Adelaide 36ers captain Dejan Vasiljevic's perimeter brilliance in front of his home NBL audience and a third-quarter masterclass of smothering team defence have launched the Boomers to an 80-68 victory over New Zealand. In the opening game of the inaugural Trans-Tasman Throwdown on Wednesday, Australia were behind the eight-ball in the opening two quarters in front of 8447 fans at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre before seizing total control with a 23-9 third term. Vasiljevic (23 points) and Perth Wildcats guard Elijah Pepper (16) knocked down five three-pointers each in the first meeting between the two countries since the 2022 Asia Cup semi-finals in Jakarta, which the Boomers won, and the first bilateral series between the rivals since 2015. 'Really pleased with our defensive effort in the second half,' Australia coach Dean Vickerman said. 'Once we really sat down and slowed down their pace, we made it more difficult for them to put their feet in the keyway... There will be really good learnings from that one about how we get better as a group.' New Zealand Breaker Reuben Te Rangi paced the Kiwis with 15 points and eight rebounds, while Melbourne United's Shea Ili contributed 12 points. With former 36er and Chicago Bulls star Josh Giddey sitting courtside with the Atlanta Hawks' Dyson Daniels, voted the NBA's 2024-25 Most Improved Player, the Boomers were sluggish out of the blocks.
The Age
07-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Boomers, Opals defeat New Zealand in Trans-Tasman Throwdown openers
Vasiljevic fires Boomers to 80-68 win Adelaide 36ers captain Dejan Vasiljevic's perimeter brilliance in front of his home NBL audience and a third-quarter masterclass of smothering team defence have launched the Boomers to an 80-68 victory over New Zealand. In the opening game of the inaugural Trans-Tasman Throwdown on Wednesday, Australia were behind the eight-ball in the opening two quarters in front of 8447 fans at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre before seizing total control with a 23-9 third term. Vasiljevic (23 points) and Perth Wildcats guard Elijah Pepper (16) knocked down five three-pointers each in the first meeting between the two countries since the 2022 Asia Cup semi-finals in Jakarta, which the Boomers won, and the first bilateral series between the rivals since 2015. 'Really pleased with our defensive effort in the second half,' Australia coach Dean Vickerman said. 'Once we really sat down and slowed down their pace, we made it more difficult for them to put their feet in the keyway... There will be really good learnings from that one about how we get better as a group.' New Zealand Breaker Reuben Te Rangi paced the Kiwis with 15 points and eight rebounds, while Melbourne United's Shea Ili contributed 12 points. With former 36er and Chicago Bulls star Josh Giddey sitting courtside with the Atlanta Hawks' Dyson Daniels, voted the NBA's 2024-25 Most Improved Player, the Boomers were sluggish out of the blocks.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Opals shine to beat NZ in Trans-Tasman Throwdown
Debutant Miela Sowah's sharp shooting and captain Stephanie Reid's dogged defence have carried the Opals to an 88-70 win over New Zealand in the opening game of the inaugural Trans-Tasman Throwdown. After threatening to power away early at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Wednesday, Australia saw their lead slashed to a single point in the fourth quarter before responding emphatically with a 21-2 surge down the stretch. Perth Lynx guard Sowah top-scored with 23 points, while Reid made life hell for the Tall Ferns' backcourt, racking up five steals and two blocks in an impressive display of defensive basketball. Opals captain Stephanie Reid (L) picked up five steals and two blocks against New Zealand. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS) Townsville Fire duo Alex Fowler and Courtney Woods, also both debuting in the green and gold, scored 12 and 11 off the bench, respectively. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "For the most part, consistently, at the defensive end of the floor was where we were at our most solid," Opals coach Paul Goriss said. "That's something we want to hang our hat on. I think we remained calm throughout (the NZ fightback). "I don't think we panicked at any time and we stayed the course." Alex Fowler (C) scored 12 points after coming off the bench in the Opals' win over New Zealand. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS) Forward Sharne Robati (19 points) was easily the Tall Ferns' best in the first meeting between the two sides since the 2023 Asia Cup bronze-medal match in Sydney, which Australia won, and the first bilateral series between the rivals since 2015. Robati scored eight of the tourists' 11 first-quarter points but the Opals had more contributors early and took control 27-17 at the break. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement NZ, ranked 26th in world, had the better of second-ranked Australia across the middle two quarters, starting with a defence-dominated, scrappy 13-12 second term to cut the home side's lead to nine at half-time. The Aussies missed all six three-point attempts in the third stanza, while the Tall Ferns found their range to knock down five-of-seven, riding an 11-1 burst to win the quarter 27-22 and trim the gap to 61-57 at the last break. Sharne Robati (L) was the best for the Tall Ferns, scoring 19 points. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS) NZ further cut the deficit to 67-66 and had all the momentum, before the Opals went on a match-sealing tear. Led by Reid's defence, the Tall Ferns' turnovers mounted in the closing stages, allowing Sowah, Fowler and Woods to prosper at the other end. The second of the three-game series will be at Sunshine Coast's UniSC Arena on Friday.
