The Spanish women’s team defeated New Zealand in their first meeting in Basketball Pre-World Cup that is being disputed in Puerto Rico. The team led by Miguel Méndez was much superior to its rival and scored its first victory in its locker (99-50).
Megan Gustafson, with 20 points, He was the great figure of Spain’s victory against an oceanic team that only put up resistance in the early stages of the match.
Spain recovers from a hesitant start
The team coached by Miguel Méndez started in failure at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in the Puerto Rican capital and conceded a 2-6 run, but María Conde and the rest of the ‘B’ unit soon got their act together. The defense improved with them and in the long run the offensive production within the ‘paint’ increased.
As a result of that, Spain came back and a basket by Conde from the corner made the score 20-9 at 29.3 to end the first period. Although the New Zealand coach called a time-out there, the dynamic continued at the beginning of the next period thanks to Iyana Martin and Megan Gustafson.
The team coached by Natalie Hurst accused her weakness at the back and her lack of aim in front of the basket, with the exception of Tegan Graham. The other members of the starting quintet, like Rebecca Pizzey, barely contributed points. Spain took off with success in its launches of Helena Pueyo and Raquel Carrera along with the assistance of María Araújo.
Gustafson leads the team to the first victory in the Pre-World Cup
To make matters worse for New Zealand, Pizzey committed his fourth personal foul 18 seconds after returning from the break (47-22) and that reduced Hurst’s rotations for the low post, so Gustafson took advantage of this by struggling. In addition, Elena Buenavida, Mariona Ortiz, Aina Ayuso and Paula Ginzo, in connection with Maite Cazorla, debuted their points locker.
As a sign of the clear Spanish superiority, Araújo hit a cornered triple to make it 67-29with 4:30 left until the end of a third quarter of exchanging baskets with little uncertainty. It was a recital by Spain in attack and a good exercise in defensive pressure.
With a severe 77-36, the 30th minute was reached, giving way to a fourth quarter without history and ideal for Spain doses its minutes. Up front, Sharne Robati had stood out in scoring, but no one else took the reins and the clock ran out with almost no interruptions.
Thanks to his uneventful victory, Spain will face Senegal this Thursday his second World Cup match with an upward attitude. The match can be seen from 7:00 p.m. on Teledeporte and RTVE Play.
