Day 1 Recap of the 2018 Polynesia Cup

By FIBA 19 November 2018, 12:00AM

(Women's) The Cook Islands defeats Samoa, 80-47

Cook Islands' veteran-savvy overwhelmed a young Samoa side in the Women's Division of the 2018 Polynesian Cup to take a commanding 80-47 victory.

The ladies in green kept their defensive pace high, hounding the host nation with their full-court pressure defense.

Keziah-Brittany Lewis led a balanced attack with 19 points while her sister Adoniah Lewis and Jordina Katu added 12 and 10 points each.

Cherish Manumaleuga Aufui Sau scored a team-high 16 points in a losing effort and Aufui Sau added 11 points of her own.

 

(Men's) American Samoa defeats the Cook Islands, 72-61

American Samoa relied on a strong start to take an impressive 72-67 victory over the Cook Islands to open their 2018 Polynesian Cup campaign with a victory.

Steve Siu Lynel top-scored for ASA with 23 points while Nimoa'I Afimuao, Jeremiah Tuimaseve and Onosaiimeatiga Tovale added 16, 14 and 11 points respectively.

The bigger American Samoans relied on their offensive rebounding prowess to lead the Cook Islands in that department, 14-4 that also led to more free throws attempts 29-14.

Teokotai Akania and Brandon Heath led Cook Island's losing effort scoring 20 and 18 points in that order while playing 40 minutes each.

 

(Women's) Tahiti defeats American Samoa, 106-32

Tahiti employed a fullcourt pressure defense that rattled American Samoa to take a massive 106-32 victory over the former.

Julie Lefranc flashed a well-rounded performance with 33 markers, six rebounds, six assists including a perfect 3/3 from three-point territory.

Mahine Tepu, Maea Lextreyt, and Aeata Tepu chipped in 22, 13 and 11 points to backstop their scoring leader.

Tahiti's unrelenting defense forced American Samoa to commit 42 turnovers, buoyed by their 27 steals.

Racquelle Monsua Toleafoa and Raelisa Ivalua Airah Toleafoa scored in double figures for ASA with 11 and 10 points in the losing effort.

 

(Men's) Tahiti defeats Samoa, 77-76

Trailing for most of the game, Tahiti kept the battle within striking distance and snatched a thrilling 77-76 victory to break the hearts of host Samoa.

Samoa took a 76-75 lead despite Tahiti calling a timeout that was not noticed by the referees after a made basket and clock stoppage at the 10.9-second mark. The officials and coaches discussed the technical difficulty and decided to continue the game with 5.8 ticks left.

Ariirarimarau Meuel was set up with a perfect inbound pass to give Tahiti a 77-76 advantage with 3.5 seconds left; without any timeout at their disposal, Samoa was forced to run down the length of the court and was unable to beat the clock.

Meuel exploded for a game-high 35 points while Heimoana Teamotuaitau and Glenn Maui Garbutt chipped in 14 and 10 points respectively.

Samoa was backstopped by Sapeti Tufuga with a team-high 20 points while big man Theodore McFarland recorded a double-double effort with 12 points and 13 boards.

 

FIBA

Read more: http://www.fiba.basketball/polynesiacup/2018/news/day-1-recap-of-the-2018-polynesia-cup

By FIBA 19 November 2018, 12:00AM
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