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Stats Leaders, Awards and Final Standings
After 10 days of competition, Australia won the first-ever
Commonwealth Games women basketball tournament in Melbourne over New
Zealand, England claimed the Bronze medal. Check out who were the
top-performers during this tournament. We will post a team-by-team
recap in the next days.
AWARDS:
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER:
Lauren Jackson (196-F/C-81)
Who else? Lauren Jackson was by far the best player in Melbourne,
she scored more than 30ppg in less than 25 minutes per game to lead
Australia for the Gold.
We could named the entire australian squad in our All-Tournament
teams but there were a lot of great players in the other teams too.
We use the players stats, their efficiency and of course their
team's ranking to name these teams.
ALL-TOURNAMENT FIRST-TEAM:
Lauren Jackson (196-F/C-81) AUS 31.0pts 7.0rbs 1.4ast
Andrea Congreaves (193-C-70) ENG 17.4pts 9.4rbs 1.0ast
Donna Loffhagen (185-F-78) NZ 14.4pts 10.4rbs 1.8ast
Funmi Ojelabi (170-G-85) NIG 14.8pbs 2.4rbs 0.8ast
Belinda Snell (180-F-81) AUS 10.0pts 5.2rbs 3.4ast
I don't need to add anything about Lauren Jackson, Andrea Congreaves
almost carried England to the Bronze by herself, Donna Loffhagen was
the heart and soul of a brilliant New Zealand squad, Funmi Ojelabi
led Nigeria in scoring and Belinda Snell provided a great all-around
game
ALL-TOURNAMENT SECOND-TEAM:
Angela Marino (166-G-86) NZ 14.8pts 3.2rbs 3.2ast
Rosalee Mason (180-F/G-79) ENG 11.6pts 5.8rbs 0.8ast
Hollie Grima (190-C-83) AUS 10.6pts 5.6rbs 0.8ast
Katrina Hibbert (180-G/F-77) AUS 10.0pts 2.8rbs 2.4ast
Erin Phillips (173-G-85) AUS 8.2pts 2.8rbs 5.0ast
Youngsters Angela Marino and Erin Phillips played really well in
this tournament and are the future of their teams, Hollie Grima and
Katrina Hibbert recorded some pretty good stats in a very deep
australian team, Rosalee Mason was really a pleasant surprise for
England and a good help for Congreaves
ALL-TOURNAMENT THIRD-TEAM:
Tully Bevilaqua (170-G-72) AUS 3.0pts 0.5rbs 3.3ast
Jenny Whittle (197-C-73) AUS 7.4pts 7.4rbs 2.0ast
Chioma Udeaja (192-F/C-84) NIG 10.5pts 10.2rbs 0.6ast
Geethu Ann Jose (185-C-85) IND 15.2pts 9.4rbs 0.2ast
Deolinda Gimo (186-C-87) MOZ 10.2pts 9.0rbs 0.4ast
Bevilaqua's stats won't jump at you but she did the right thing as
starting PG for Australia: pressure defence and give the ball to her
teamate, she could have done much more if her team was in danger,
her teamate Jenny Whittle provided a great defensive presence next
to Lauren Jackson, Chimoa Udeaja is one of the three players in the
tournament to averaged a double-double, Deolinda Gimo was
Mozambique's best players. For the last spot, we had to choose
between indians Geethu Ann Jose and Anitha Pauldurai who both
deserved the nod.
STATS LEADERS:
POINTS:
1-Lauren
Jackson (196-F/C-81) AUS 31.0pts
2-Josephine
Grima (191-C-84) MLT 19.6pts
3-Andrea
Congreaves (193-C-70) ENG 17.4pts
4-Geethu
Ann Jose (185-C-85) IND 15.2pts
5-Angela
Marino (166-G-86) NZ 14.8pts
5-Funmi
Ojelabi (170-G-85) NIG 14.8pts
7-Donna
Loffhagen (185-F-78) NZ 14.4pts
8-Anitha
Pauldurai (170-G-84) IND 12.6pts
9-Rashidat
Sadiq (191-F/C-81) NIG 12.2pts
9-Lucienne
Bezzina (174-F-79) MLT 12.2pts
11-Rute
Muianga (176-F-83) MOZ 11.8pts
12-Rosalee
Mason (180-F/G-79) ENG 11.6pts
13-Shelly
Boston (188-C/F-75) ENG 11.2pts
14-Mobolaji
Akiode (190-F-82) NIG 11.0pts
14-Bee
Chuan Low (169-G-77) MAL 11.0pts
16-Hollie
Grima (190-C-83) AUS 10.6pts
17-Chioma
Udeaja (192-F/C-84) NIG 10.5pts
18-Deolinda
Gimo (186-C-87) MOZ 10.2pts
19-Katrina
Hibbert (180-G/F-77) AUS 10.0pts
19-Belinda
Snell (180-F-81) AUS 10.0pts
19-Carla
Silva (173-G-78) MOZ 10.0pts
REBOUNDS:
1-Donna
Loffhagen (185-F-78) NZ 10.4rbs
2-Chioma
Udeaja (192-F/C-84) NIG 10.2rbs
3-Josephine
Grima (191-C-84) MLT 10.0rbs
4-Andrea
Congreaves (193-C-70) ENG 9.4rbs
4-Geethu
Ann Jose (185-C-85) IND 9.4rbs
6-Deolinda
Gimo (186-C-87) MOZ 9.0rbs
7-Sofi
Sam (182-F-83) IND 7.4rbs
8-Charmain
Purcell (180-G/F-79) NZ 7.2rbs
9-Lauren
Jackson (196-F/C-81) AUS 7.0rbs
10-Jenny
Whittle (197-C-73) AUS 6.8rbs
10-Mercy
Okorie (180-C/F-81) NIG 6.8rbs
10-Ezinne
James (190-F-85) NIG 6.8rbs
ASSISTS:
1-Anitha
Pauldurai (170-G-84) IND 5.6ast
2-Erin
Phillips (173-G-85) AUS 5.0ast
3-Jae
Cross (175-G-76) AUS 4.6ast
4-Belinda
Snell (180-F-81) AUS 3.4ast
5-Tully
Bevilaqua (170-G-72) AUS 3.3ast
6-Angela
Marino (166-G-86) NZ 3.2ast
7-Amaka
Adibeli (172-G-85) NIG 2.6ast
8-Woon
Yuen Teo (163-G-85) MAL 2.6ast
9-Lucienne
Bezzina (174-F-79) MLT 2.6ast
10-Katrina
Hibbert (180-G/F-77) AUS 2.4ast
10-Laura
Summerton (189-C-83) AUS 2.4ast
Australia takes the Gold!
As expected,
Australia claimed the Gold medal in the first-ever women basketball tournament
in the Commonwealth Games. In the championship games,
Lauren
Jackson (196-F/C-81) and her teamates defeated New Zealand 77-39. This game
closed an interesting tournament where the Opals were playing on another level.
We will post a complete recap of this tournament and the stats leaders in the
next days.
Gold medal game:
Australia - New Zealand: 77-39
The australians players said before this game that it will be the most difficult
one for them, so they decided to start it at 110% to crush the slight Kiwi hopes
as soon as possible. In the first quarter,
Lauren
Jackson (196-F/C-81) and
Belinda
Snell (180-F-81) combined for 11pts 7rbs and 5st to give Australia a 23-11
lead. In the second quarter, Jackson didn't need any help and scored 9 of her
team's 15 points and the Opals reached half-time on a 38-19 lead. Jackson has
played 17 minutes in this first half, just to show how hard she wanted this
game. NZ captain
Donna
Loffhagen (185-F-78), who was scoreless in the first half, scored 8pts in
the second one but that wasn't enough and the lead kept growing until the final
buzzer. Australia came out of the game with a 77-39 victory.
Lauren Jackson was the game's leading scorer with 23pts 6/14FG 11rbs 2ast 3st
and 1bs,
Belinda Snell (180-F-81) added 8pts 4/8FG 10rbs and
Laura
Summerton (189-C-83) netted 7pts 3/6FG.
Donna
Loffhagen (185-F-78) recorded 8pts 2/8FG 13rbs,
Noni
Wharemate (171-G-82) scored 6pts 1/4FG 6rbs and
Kate
McKeenen-Ruscoe (173-G-79) added 7pts 3/9FG.
"This is so awesome. To play in front of this crowd is something I will
never forget," exclaimed Jackson. "I never thought I would get the
chance to play for my country again in Australia."
"They are a very good team, obviously," stated NZ coach Mike McHugh. "You
could see how much they wanted the gold medal. We went through 10 minutes
without getting a score ... we just couldn't score ..."
Boxscore here
England get the Bronze!
The England
national team won the Bronze medal in the first-ever Commonwealth Games women
basketball tournament in Melbourne.
Andrea
Congreaves (193-C-70) led her side to a 78-75 victory over Nigeria in a
close game, later today New Zealand will try to steal the Gold medal from the
australians hands.
Bronze medal game:
England - Nigeria: 78-75
The first quarter was really close (17-16 for Nigeria), nigerian
Ezinne
James (190-F-85) netted 8pts in the first 10 minutes but
Andrea
Congreaves (193-C-70) and
Claire
Maytham (172-G-76) responded with 6pts each. A well-balanced english team
made the break in the second quarter to reach the break on a 36-30 lead. In the
third quarter,
Shelly
Boston (188-C/F-75) scored 10pts to extend the lead to 9 points (55-46). The
final period was a fierce battle,
Funmi
Ojelabi (170-G-85) and
Mobolaji
Akiode (190-F-82) netted 9pts each for Nigeria but Congreaves proved that
she really is a world-class player with 8pts in this 4th quarter. England
finally came out with a 78-75 victory, both teams recorded similar stats but
Nigeria hit only 23/36 free-throw which is of obviously a major problem is such
a close game. Andrea Congreaves was the best player on the court with 21pts
6/10FG 7rbs and 3ast in 35 minutes, Shelly Boston scored all of her 14pts in the
second half and
Rosalee
Mason (180-F/G-79) added 12pts 2/12FG and 5rbs. Funmi Ojelabi led Nigeria
with 18pts 3/12FG, Ezinne James recorded 12pts 3/8FG and 8rbs while
Chioma
Udeaja (192-F/C-84) chipped in with 10pts 4/9FG and 16rbs.
English captain Claire Maytham, said, ‘After the disappointment of the
defeat against New Zealand we regrouped and knew it was important to get a
result in this game. We are all very emotional right now, but we are ecstatic to
be coming home with a medal’
England’s Katie Crowley commented, ‘This is a fantastic result for the team
and hopefully for women’s basketball in England.’
"I'm absolutely ecstatic and delighted," said a jubilant Congreaves. "We
knew Nigeria would be tough but our girls were fabulous - it was a bit of a
nail-biter. We are absolutely stoked to get the medal."
Boxscore here
Classification Games - Mozambique claimed the 5th place
- by
Eurobasket
Mozambique
claimed the 5th place in the first-ever women basketball tournament in the
Commonwealth Games with a 77-40 victory over India. Malaysia secured the 7th
place over Malta with a close 63-59 win. Tomorrow Australia and New Zealand will
play for the Gold medal while England and Nigeria will compete for the Bronze.
5th place game:
India - Mozambique: 44-70
Mozambique made a great start in this game with a 23-10 lead after the first
quarter, the indian players were unable to come back. That was a pretty bad
shooting game (34%FG for Mozambique, 32% for India) and the best defensive team
came out with the win.
Rute
Muianga (176-F-83) scored a game-high 21pts 8/21FG 6rbs, Carla Silva scored
19pts 8/20FG and Deolinda Gimo chipped in with 14pts 5/12FG 13rbs. As usual, Geethu
Ann Jose (185-C-85) was India's best players with 20pts 8/16FG 10rbs and 4bs
in 30 minutes, Anitha Pauldurai added 8pts 4/11FG 5rbs and Arnika Gujar scored
6pts.
Coach of the Indian team Abdul Khan was still very proud. “This is the first
time we have played outside of India and we will take home a lot of memories,†he
said.
Boxscore here
7th place game:
Malaysia - Malta: 63-59
Both teams really wanted to win their last game in this tournament, Mozambique
reached half-time on a 30-26 lead, Malta won the third quarter 21-14 but the
african players managed to bounce back to claim a 4-point win.
Siao
Foong Chow (171-F-76) led her side with 19pts 2/14FG, Yong Yong Chew
recorded 13pts 9rbs. For Malta,
Josephine Grima (191-C-84) made a great game with 22pts 8/15 18rbs and 3bs
and Lucienne Bezzina posted 15pts 5/12FG 5rbs and 4ast.
Boxscore here
Semifinals - Australia will face New Zealand for the Gold - Mar. 21, 2006
- by Eurobasket
As expected, Australia
powered its way to the Championship Game. In the semifinals, the Opals
blasted Nigeria with another great performance from
Lauren Jackson (196-F/C-81). New Zealand earn the right to play the
aussies thanks to a 74-67 victory over England in the other semifinal
game. Will they be able to stop Australia?
Australia - Nigeria: 105-49
No pleasant surprise for Nigeria, Australia dominated this game from the
first to the last second. The Opals were already leading 33-5 after 10
minutes and they displayed an impressive defensive game.
Lauren Jackson (196-F/C-81) played only 22 minutes but she managed
to score 37pts 15/27FG 8rbs and 2bs! Laura Summerton netted 17pts 7/9FG
in 17 minutes and Katrina Hibbert scored 11pts.
Mobolaji Akiode (190-F-82) and Funmi Ojelabi both netted 10pts while
Rashidat Saddiq posted 9pts and 10rbs. Australian coach Jan Stirling is
confident of having a full list to choose from for the gold medal match.
Australia’s point guard Tully Bevilaqua did not play due to an ankle
injury, but should start in the next game.
“She could've played this match, and wanted to play, but we need her
to be as close to 100 per cent as she can be for the gold medal game,â€
said Stirling.
Nigeria Coach Scott
Nnaji conceded that his side was young and lacked height, but was
looking ahead to the next game - the bronze medal play-off.
"We have had no hard competition before the Games and will benefit
for tomorrow,'' he said.
Boxscore here
New Zealand - England: 74-67
In a nail-bitting contest, England tried everything but New Zealand
finally came out of this game as a winner and will face Australia in a
100% Oceania championship game. Three-point shooting really made the
difference for the Tall-Ferns: 40% (6/15) to 17% (3/17). Youngster
Angela Marino (166-G-86) showcased her skills with 16pts, Donna
Loffhagen posted 14pts 6rbs and 3ast while Charmian Purcell and Kate
McKeenen-Ruscoe both scored 10pts.
Andrea Congreaves (193-C-70) tried her best for England with 16pts
8/13FG and 12rbs, Rosalee Mason scored 15pts and Gillian D'Hondt scored
12pts.
"Our goal was always
to make the gold medal game and we have achieved that goal," beamed
NZ coach Mike McHugh, wiping a tear from his eye. "Now we've got to
re-appraise that goal."
Boxscore here
Classification Games - Mar. 21, 2006
- by
Eurobasket
In the classification
games, India dominated Malta 80-47 while Mozambique defeated Malaysia
80-70. Mozambique and India will play for 5th place while Maylasia and
Malta will play for the 7th one.
India - Malta: 80-47
India played a good game especially on the defensive end, the maltese
players seemed tired at the end of the game, losing the last quarter
5-19.
Geethu Ann Jose (185-C-85) recorded a monster game with 25pts
10/16FG 12rbs and 8bs! Arnika Gujar posted 14pts while Sofi Sam, Divya
Singh and Anitha Pauldurai all scored 9pts.
Josephine Grima (191-C-84) and Lucienne Bezinna led Malta with 22pts
10rbs and 16pts 8rbs.
India coach Abdul Khan was pleased with his team’s performance,
saying, "If we can finish fifth it will be a very big achievement
for us and I will be a very happy man."
Boxscore here
Malaysia - Mozambique: 70-80
Mozambique made a better start in this contest and reached the half-time
break on a 49-24 lead. Despite a 27-13 run in the third quarter,
Malaysia was unable to come back.
Rute Muianga (176-F-83) posted 24pts 9/12FG 8rbs and 3ast, Carla
Silva netted 16pts and Deolinda Gimo added 9pts 10rbs. On the losing
side,
Suik May Kew (171-F-82) recorded 18pts 7/15FG, Bee Chuan Low chipped
in with 17pts and Beng fong Goh netted 8pts.
Boxscore here
Stats leaders after the pool phase - Mar. 20, 2006 - by
Eurobasket
Let's take a look at the statistical leaders after the pool phase, each
teams has played 3 games and Australia and New Zealand seems unstoppable
in this tournament.
Lauren Jackson (196-F/C-81) is the tournament's leading scorer with
31.7ppg in less than 22 minutes per game and New Zealand's captain
Donna Loffhagen (185-F-78) is the best rebounder. Australia is also
leading the assists category with 4 players in the Top 5. We will post a
complete recap of the stats leaders at the end of the tournament.
Points:
Lauren Jackson (196-F/C-81) AUS 31.7
Josephine Grima (191-C-84) MLT 18.0
Angela Marino (166-G-86) NZ 17.7
Andrea Congreaves (193-C-70) ENG 17.0
Donna Loffhagen (185-F-78) NZ 16.7
Funmi Ojelabi (170-G-85) NIG 15.3
Anitha Pauldurai (170-G-84) IND 15.3
Rashidat Sadiq (191-F/C-81) NIG 14.0
Hollie Grima (190-C-83) AUS 13.3
Shelly Boston (188-C/F-75) ENG 13.0
Rebounds:
Donna Loffhagen (185-F-78) NZ 11.0
Chioma Udeaja (192-F/C-84) NIG 10.0
Mercy Okorie (180-C/F-81) NIG 8.7
Geethu Ann Jose (185-C-85) IND 8.3
Andrea Congreaves (193-C-70) ENG 8.0
Assists:
Erin Phillips (173-G-85) AUS 5.7
Jae Cross (175-G-76) AUS 4.3
Belinda Snell (180-F-81) AUS 4.3
Anitha Pauldurai (170-G-84) IND 4.0
Tully Bevilaqua (170-G-72) AUS 3.7
Amaka Adibeli (172-G-85) NIG 3.7
End of the pool phase - Mar. 20, 2006
- by
Eurobasket
Thanks to a brilliant 83-53 win over Nigeria, New Zealand took the pool
B top spot and will avoid a semifinal clash against Australia. The Tall
Ferns will play England while Australia will play Nigeria in the
semifinals tomorrow. India, Maylasia, Malta and Mozambique will play in
the classification games.
Pool A:
India - Mozambique: 58-54
That was a game for pride as the two teams were already out of
contention for a semifinal berth but that was a pretty good game and
India recorded its first win during this tournament.
Shiba Maggon (174-F-76) netted 17pts 7/16FG, her teamate Geethu Jose
also scored 17pts 8/14FG with 15rbs and 3bs, Anitha Pauldurai chipped in
with 9pts 3/11FG 6rbs and 6ast.
Deolinda Gimo (186-C-87) led Mozambique with 15pts 7/16FG 8rbs,
Carla Silva added 11pts while Valerdina Manhonga and Nadia Rodrigues
both scored 7pts.
Boxscore here
Pool B:
Malaysia - Malta: 68-65
Another game for pride between two teams who will play for the 5th place
in the coming days. Malta was off to a better start, the european team
reached half-time on a 32-24 lead but Maylasia managed to come back in
the game and came out of it with a 3-point win. The best player was Beng
Fong Guo with 18pts 6/16FG, Siew Lian Beh posted 9pts 3/6FG 7rbs and
Woon Yuen Teo added 9pts.
Josephine Grima (191-C-84) tried her best for Malta with 29pts
10/21FG and 15rbs, Beverlee Zammit chipped in with 9pts 4/9FG and
Lucienne Bezzina recorded 8pts 2/14FG 7rbs.
Boxscore here
Nigeria - New Zealand: 53-83
The New Zealand Tall Ferns outscored Nigeria to take the pool's top spot
and an easier semifinal contest vs England, on the other hand Nigeria
will have to play the all-mighty Australia in the other semifinal game.
Nigeria was leading 15-13 at the end of the first quarter but a 21-5 run
by New Zealand in the second stanza really made the break. NZ captain
Donna Loffhagen (185-F-78) led her side with 19pts 8/13FG 10rbs and
5ast, Angela Marino recorded 13pts 2/13FG 5rbs and 5ast and Aneka Kerr
chipped in with 10pts 4/7FG 7rbs. For Nigeria,
Mercy Okorie (180-C/F-81) scored 15pts 6/10FG while Chioma Udeaja
and Funmi Ojelabi both scored 9pts.
Boxscore here
Semifinals schedule:
Australia - Nigeria
New Zealand - England
Classification games:
India - Malta
Malaysia - Mozambique
We know the semifinals teams - Mar. 19, 2006 - by
Eurobasket
Nigeria and New Zealand both secured easy wins over Malta and Maylasia
today in the Pool A. Both teams secured a spot in the upcoming
semifinals, the loser of tomorrow's game between the nigerians and the
new zealanders will face Australia who secured the top spot in the Pool
B. The other team will play England.
Pool A:
Malta - Nigeria: 44-86
No contest in this game. Nigeria shot better (37%FG to 21%), they
grabbed more rebounds (64 to 31) and made more assists (15 to 5).
Funmi Ojelabi (170-G-85) was the game's leading scorer with 21pts
8/14FG in only 18 minutes, Rashidat Sadiq added 18pts 7/18FG while
Mobolaji Akiode posted 13pts 5/16FG and 13rbs.
Lucienne Bezzina (174-F-79) was the only maltese players able to
score in double-figures: 15pts (but 4/19FG). Kristen Micallef netted
8pts 2/6FG and Caroline Fenech scored 7pts 2/5FG.
Boxscore here
New Zealand - Malaysia: 113-56
New Zealand also wanted to secure the win as soon as possible so the
coach was able to gave his starters a rest, just one day before facing
Nigeria for the pool's top spot. The Tall-Ferns were already leading
55-28 at half-time,
Lisa Wallbutton (183-F-86) posted 21pts 6/9FG 11rbs, Angela Marino
scored 18pts 4/12FG and Donna Loffhagen recorded a big double-double
with 14pts 5/9FG 16rbs.
Bee Chuan Low (169-G-77) led Malaysia with 13pts 4/11FG, Beng Fong
Goh netted 10pts 4/8FG and Woon Yuen Teo chipped in with 9pts 2/11FG.
Boxscore here
Pool B:
Australia - England: 95-43
Australia easily won the battle for the pool B top spot. England hold on
during one quarter but the Opals outscored their opponents 74-26 in the
last three quarters. Now Australia and England will look at the
Nigeria-New Zealand game tomorrow to see which team they will face in
the semifinals. Lauren Jackson did her job as usual with 31pts 11/24FG
in only 23 minutes, 20-year old
Erin Phillips (173-G-85) scored 13pts 3/5FG and 6ast while Katrina
Hibbert and Hollie Grima both netted 10pts. On the losing side,
Shelly Boston (188-C/F-75) taillied 12pts 4/12FG 7rbs, Kristy Lavin
added 10pts 3/7FG 6rbs and Gillian D'Hondt scored 9pts.
Boxscore here
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