Czech Republic trumps New Zealand in Women's Basketball

(BEIJING, August 15) -- The Czech Republic Women's Basketball team thrashed New Zealand 90-59 in a group B preliminary match on Friday, August 15.
Hana Machova of the Czech Republic was the game's high scorer, netting 23 points and grabbing three rebounds. Her teammate Eva Viteckova scored 21 points and took four rebounds.
New Zealand's Angela Marino was the second highest scorer of the game, contributing 22 points and grabbing two rebounds.
The Czech Republic set the tone of the game from the beginning, dominating the first quarter with 26 points to New Zealand's 12. The New Zealanders woke up a bit in the second quarter to grab 19 points, but fell into bad form again in the third, only scoring seven points, while their rivals netted 21. At this point, the Czech Republic women held a 27 point lead, for which however much the New Zealanders tried, they could not overcome. In spite of New Zealand's efforts to catch up in the last quarter, strong defense from the Czech Republic kept them in check. The game ended 90-59 in favor of the Czech Republic.