The Australian under 19 Emus (men) versus the New Zealand Junior Tall Blacks(JTB's) was the opening game of the second session of the FIBA Oceania Championships at Porirua tonight.

The Emus made a strong statement against the JTB's in running up a 17 point advantage at the end of the first period, extending that to 24 points at half time and maintaining the advantage through the third and fourth periods to finish with a 25 point advantage over the Kiwis in an Australia 95, NZL 70 final scoreline.

FIBA Oceania President Bob Elphinston, in his welcoming remarks in the event program, noted that this Championship has historically been a 'window into the future stars' of the national teams of the respective countries and it clear from the performances from athletes in both teams that history will repeat.

New Zealand's Rueben Te Rangi is a well known and respected player in his own country - so much so that he has caught the eye of the National Basketball League Club, the New Zealand Breakers and with game numbers like 26 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 6 fouls received and 83% free throw shooting in a game against tough Australian defence, it is not hard to see why.  His performances in FIBA's first 3X3 Championships in 2011 obviously translate to the indoor game!

Meanwhile, in the emerald green jersey of the Australians, Dante Exum who has already had a chance to display his talents on the world stage at the U-17 World Championships, also notched up impressive numbers with 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, 16 points and 75% from the charity stripe.

It's a certainty that in the future, many of the 1500 strong crowd will remember watching these players display their wares in Porirua in 2012!

In tonight's game Te Rangi lacked the scoring support of his team mates, none of them clicking over double digits on the scoreboard, and with four other Aussies, besides Exum in double figures, there's the story of the game.

With two wins so far from the three match series, the Australians can start planning a trip to the Czech Republic next June to test their play against the other 15 best U-19 teams on the planet. With the fierce rivalary between the Kiwis and the Aussies on the sporting field, it is certain that the third game in the series will not be a dead rubber. 

The Kiwis are always seeking a win over the Australians. At the same time a "clean sweep" for the Emus would be the sweetest of victories.
The third game in the series gets underway at the Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua, New Zealand Saturday September 22nd at 7.30 pm New Zealand time.
Visit the FIBA Oceania Competitions website www.fibaoceaniacompetitions.com for the box scores from tonight's game or click on the "LiveStats" tab on the top menu to watch game 3 unfold.

A livestream of the game can be viewed at http://new.livestream.com/accounts/1103671

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Not to be outdone by their male counterparts, the Australian U-19 Gems meshed the gears of their team more smoothly in game 2 of their series against the Junior Tall Ferns, running up a 89 point scoreline at 51% shooting against a New Zealand outfit with a 33% scoring average which could only manage 55 points in reply.

As with the boy's game, Penina Davidson for the Junior Tall Ferns contributed 24 points, but her 'partners in crime' from game one, Chelseah Savage and Rhaiah Spooner-Knight were both held to modest single figure scoring. When you see that the Kiwis scored none of their nine attempts from 3 point territory you begin to appreciate the defensive pressure the Australians applied to hold down the Kiwi scoring.

On the other side of the scoreboard, Australia's Stephanie Talbot with 25 points lead all scorers but she was supported by three others, Mijovic, Samuels and Wilson with double digits against their names.

With 60% of the rebounds to their name and 28 points from their bench (compared to 10 for NZL) it's not hard to understand how the Australians found their way to a "win".

The third game in the series gets underway tomorrow at 5.30 pm in Porirua, New Zealand and if the past is any guide to the future, the Australians will be seeking three from three.

Visit the FIBA Oceania Competitions website www.fibaoceaniacompetitions.com for the box scores from tonight's game or click on the LiveStats tab on the top menu to watch game 3 unfold.
A livestream of the game can be viewed at http://new.livestream.com/accounts/1103671
Click here to go the Basketball New Zealand website to see correspondent Grant Chapman's take on Day 2 proccedings.
Click here to go to the match reports on the Basketball Australia website.
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