Sapphires make statement over Fiji in Oceania Cup

• Australia Sapphires beat Fiji 115-28 in the opener of the FIBA U17 Oceania Cup in Samoa
• The tournament runs from December 8-13
• Australia feature some of the world's top junior prospects, such as Sitaya Fagan and Maddi Ryan

Australia crushed Fiji 115-28 at Tuanaimato Gym 2 in Samoa with Eliza Ashby's 13 points headlining a dominant all-round effort.

Key Details

• Round: Group Phase, Group A
• Result: Australia 115 def. Fiji 28
• When: December 9, 2025
• Where: Tuanaimato Gym 2, Samoa

By the Numbers

• Eliza Ashby (Australia) starred with 13 points, four rebounds and two steals in 19 minutes
• Sitaya Fagan (Australia) contributed 12 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals in 17 minutes
• Olivia Olechnowicz (Australia) added 12 points, two rebounds, three assists and four steals in 16 minutes

Australia established complete control from the opening tip, building an insurmountable lead through superior shooting and defensive intensity.

The team shot an efficient 48% from the field (48-from-100), with particularly strong two-point shooting at 60.3% (41-from-68). While their three-point shooting was modest at 21.9% (seven-from-32), the dominance in the paint more than compensated for the perimeter struggles.

Eliza Ashby led the scoring charge with an outstanding performance, shooting 54.5% from the field (six-from-11) including five-from-six on two-point attempts. Her ability to consistently find scoring opportunities inside the arc proved crucial in establishing Australia's early momentum.

Sitaya Fagan, who recently committed to college basketball powerhouse USC, and Olivia Olechnowicz provided excellent support, each contributing 12 points while showcasing the depth of Australia's offensive arsenal.

The Australian defence was suffocating throughout, forcing Fiji into extremely difficult shooting situations. Australia's defensive pressure created 19 steals compared to just 10 turnovers, highlighting their ability to control possession and create easy scoring opportunities in transition.

The team's rebounding dominance was equally impressive, collecting 65 total boards with Aspen Crase leading the way with 15 rebounds in just under 19 minutes of action.

Australia's balanced scoring attack featured eight players reaching at least eight points, demonstrating the team's exceptional depth and versatility. Taryn Bond contributed 10 points and four rebounds, while Isabel Smith added 11 points on efficient 55.6% shooting from the field.

Rebecca Donnelly and Madison Ryan each chipped in 11 points, with Ryan adding eight rebounds to her scoring tally. This full team effort overwhelmed Fiji's defensive schemes and showcased Australia's potential in tournament play.

The 87-point victory margin reflects Australia's complete dominance across all facets of the game. Their superior athleticism, shooting ability, and defensive intensity created an insurmountable gap that only widened as the match progressed. The comprehensive nature of this performance, with contributions from the entire roster, bodes well for Australia's prospects in the remainder of the Group A competition.

Australia next play Guam on Wednesday from 9am.