Women's basketballers still unbeaten

New Zealand's 3x3 women's basketballers reached the semi-finals after going unbeaten through pool play.

The New Zealanders - Ella Fotu, Azure Anderson, Sharne Pupuke-Robati and Eva Langton - beat Scotland and Singapore in two testing matches. They've developed well as a team and seem to play better when closely challenged.

Scotland fielded a tall team in the

afternoon match and defended sturdily and it took a while for New Zealand to break them down. The Scots led 7-4, but New Zealand bounced back to lead 12-7 and 14-11 before winning the match 21-12 with 1min 32s remaining.

Points-scoring duties were shared but Anderson was particularly active, sinking five of her six shots under the basket and both her free throws. Fotu landed three of her five two-pointers and Pupuke-Robati was rock solid throughout.

In the evening match, Singapore provided stiffer opposition than some had expected. New Zealand led 7-4, then were pegged back to 9-9. The New Zealanders surged to 15-11 and then always seemed sure of victory.

Pupuke-Robati led the scoring with 10 points, including three two-pointers, but Fotu and Langton shot accurately and Anderson contributed four points and a lot of strong defence.

With the tournament now in the play-off stage, New Zealand play the winner of Tonga and Uganda in the first semi-final. Australia were unbeaten in the other pool and also move straight into the semis.