KEY POINTS:
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 this morning.
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.
"I'm just really excited to get my first win as a member of the New Zealand Tall Ferns and to beat Australia, something I don't think they've ever done," Harmon said.
"We really stuck with each other through this week and every result has gotten a little bit closer to this win."
With today's performance, the Tall Ferns put to rest recent memories of heavy defeats by the Opals - 46-87 in the final of the Oceania championships last September and 39-84 two weeks ago at a training camp in Canberra.
"It was just awesome," said New Zealand coach Mike McHugh.
"I don't think I've been associated with a New Zealand team who have played as well as they did tonight," the Australian said.
"We're delighted with the result, but it has been coming and it came against the right team.
"A few weeks ago, they beat us by 40, so we have made some pretty good ground in that time.
"It's obviously a big moment in the Tall Fern programme."
Trailing 22-27 at halftime, the Ferns fired home 15 unanswered points midway through the third quarter.
They outscored their opponents 21-11, to take a five-point lead entering the final quarter.
The margin reached six (54-48) with five minutes remaining and the Tall Ferns kept their heads to close the game out.
"We kept them to 11 points in that third quarter and that was the turning point of the game," McHugh said.
"Then, we just hung in there through pure guts and determination.
"It wasn't anything special or classy or technically brilliant ... just hard work. Down the track, that will be the stamp of this team."
The Aussies dominated key statistical areas, grabbing 22 offensive rebounds and 22 turnovers, had twice as many free throws and more shot attempts from the field.
But New Zealand forced the Opals into just as many turnovers and defended stoutly to reduce their opponents to a 27 per cent conversion rate from the field.
"Credit to our defence - Australia just didn't get good shots ... all their shots were contested.' McHugh said.
"We have to keep teams to scores we can get. In previous games, Korea and China scored in the 90s and we just can't win those games."
The Tall Ferns were to attend an Anzac Day function at the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing today before preparing for the fifth/sixth playoff game against Korea on Saturday.
New Zealand 63 (Jillian Harmon 15, Angela Marino 12) Australia 59 (Rohanee Cox 12, Natalie Porter 10). Halftime: 22-27.
- NZPA
