Basketball: Tall Ferns whip Aussies

Spurred by a classy performance from newcomer Jillian Harmon, New Zealand beat world champions Australia for the first time with a 63-59 win at the Good Luck Beijing women's basketball tournament in China yesterday.

United States-based Harmon, whose mother was born in New Zealand, notched a "double double" of 15 points and 11 rebounds in her first game against Australia. Adelaide-based point guard Angela Marino also played a big part in the historic win by scoring 12 points.

The Tall Ferns were to attend an Anzac Day function at the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing yesterday before preparing for the fifth/sixth playoff game against Korea today.