Aussies set for U17 fifth-place Playoff

Australia has turned the tables on the Netherlands, bouncing back from their Quarter Final defeat to qualify for the Fifth Place Playoff at the FIBA Under 17 Women’s World Championship, thrashing the Europeans 82-58 overnight in Amsterdam.

BOXSCORE

After suffering a tough loss to the USA in the Quarter Finals the Australian side rebounded to account for the Dutch side that defeated them in the group stages earlier in the week.

Familiar faces led the charge for the Australian side with Tiana Mangakahia top-scoring with 18 points while grabbing 6 rebounds and 5 assists to the 24-point victory. Vanessa Panousis was again instrumental from the point guard position, posting 17 points and 5 rebounds.

Australia was again dominant on the glass, out-rebounding the Dutch 49-43 Keely Froling pulling in 8 rebounds to go with her 13 points for the night.

A slow start offensively from both teams in the opening quarter was quickly discarded as the Australians began to assert their dominance over the contest, doubling the 4-point quarter time lead by the main interval.

Things got worse for the hosts when play resumed as the Australian team piled 44 second half points to take the final margin above 20 points and book a spot in the fifth-place playoff against Italy.

Australia face Italy for fifth place at the FIBA Under 17 Women’s World Championship at 7:15am AEST tonight.