CAIRNS, Australia, CMC – Jamaica’s women had little answers to New Zealand as they suffered a heavy 80-49 defeat in their Pool B contest at the Commonwealth Games here yesterday.
Coming off a solid victory over India in their opening game on Thursday, the Jamaicans enjoyed no such thrill against the Kiwis, as they trailed at the end of every quarter to lose by a wide margin in the end.
Forward Jennifer George was the only Jamaican in double figures with 12 points, while also pulling down 15 rebounds to end with a double-double.
For the winners, Charlisse Leger-Walker netted 18 points and grabbed six rebounds while Jordan Hunter scored 11 and Chevannah Paalvast, 10.
Playing at the Cairns Convention Centre, Jamaica kept things close through the first period with Shenneika Smith sinking a pair of three-pointers and guard Sasha Dixon adding a couple of buckets early on.
They actually led 9-5 after 2:34 but New Zealand hit back strongly to hold a slender advantage 17-16 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Jamaica lost their fight thereafter as New Zealand took control of the encounter to lead 41-25 at the half-time whistle.
The Caribbean side were outscored 19-14 in the third to trail 39-60 and the final quarter served as a mere formality as New Zealand comfortably wrapped up the win.
Jamaica come up against Malaysia in the third game today.
