Opals outclass NZ as Boomers’ comeback falls short

The Opals have outgunned New Zealand 86-71 in their Trans-Tasman Throwdown series finale in Hamilton, with Isobel Borlase’s 18 points and six rebounds helping complete a sweep and a wire-to-wire win.

But the Boomers went down 106-97 to the Tall Blacks in the earlier men’s game.

Borlase, who was part of Australia’s squad that won bronze at the Paris Olympics, was well supported by Courtney Woods (16 points, three rebounds) and Stephanie Reid (six assists, three steals).

The win saw the Opals complete a 3-0 series sweep against the Tall Ferns after their victories in Adelaide and Sippy Downs.

The Boomers started their game with costly turnovers, errors and fouls as the Tall Blacks claimed a 16-4 lead in the first quarter.

New Zealand continued to out-muscle the visitors, easing out to a 30-point lead in the third term before the Boomers staged a comeback.

Dejan Vasiljevic, who turned the ball over twice in the opening minute of the game, nailed a three-pointer to reduce the hosts’ buffer to six points with 32 seconds remaining in the final quarter.

But a couple of ice-cool free throws from Finn Delany ensured the Boomers were unable to overhaul the Tall Blacks.

Despite the result, the Boomers claimed a 2-1 series triumph.

AAP