Basketball

Tuesday’s win was the toughest at the BSP Arena in Taurama as they fought off American Samoa 81-73.

On Monday Fiji defeated Solomon Islands 92-55. The match against American Samoa started with Fiji finding the basket first and led 20-15 at the end of the first quarter.

Valerie Nainima, Mickaelar Whippy and Miliakere Koyamainavure put on a good show and took Fiji to a 38-29 lead at half time.

Fiji lost concentration in the third quarter and allowed American Samoa to bounce back to within four points. It was 58-54 at the end of third quarter.

With PNG ranked seventh and fifth for the men and women respectively at the 2011 Games, Nauru has  not participated since 2003-2011.

The women team, known as Valivas, will head on to the court at 5pm while the men will play their game at 7pm.

PNG Valivas will be banking on key players Betty Angula, Nesta Sape and captain Marca Muri who have been outstanding in the previous two matches.

Nauru has Shania Ika, Kerina Adam and Jeiziannie Deraudag to power them on.

They beat Guam last night by nine points at the BSP Arena.

Five minutes extra time was applied after both teams finished 72-all at full time.

Another five minutes extra time was given after the score was levelled again 81-81 after the siren went off.

Key players Betty Angula, Marca Muri and Nesta Sape helped PNG take the score up to 89-98 at the end of the second extra time.

To summarise the match,  Guam was leading in the first quarter 21-17 and the second quarter 40-29 but PNG bounced back in the third quarter, 56-48.

PNG plays Nauru today, at 5pm.

Despite the home ground advantage, the Tahitians were too fast with their footwork leading throughout the match.

In the first quarter, Tahiti took the lead by six points however the scoreline extended in the second quarter by 20 points, taking Tahiti's score to  45-25.

Despite aggressive play by home girl Betty Angula and the home crowd on their side, the Tahitians remained fearless and held the lead.

In the third quarter, PNG struggled to close the gap with the score 65-37.

Tahiti maintained their lead in the final quarter, finishing 90-57 at full time.

From PACNEWS