Borlase finds form as Opals sweep Tall Ferns

• Australia won the series 3-0 after an 86-71 win over NZ in game three of the Trans-Tasman Throwdown
• Isabel Borlase led the scoring for the Opals with 18 while Courtney Woods had 16 points
• Esra Mcgoldrick had 19 points for the Tall Ferns

Olympian Isabel Borlase returned to her best as the Adelaide Lightning young gun led the scoring off the bench to help the Australian Opals to an 86-71 win in game three of the Trans-Tasman Throwdown at Hamilton's Globox Arena to complete a clean sweep of the New Zealand Tall Ferns.

Borlase, who was part of the Opals' bronze medal effort at the Paris Olympics, scored an efficient 18 points on 7-from-12 shooting, including 2-from-6 from three-point range in under 26 minutes, as Australia used a 25-14 final quarter to record the 15-point victory.

Australia established control early, racing to a 20-11 first-quarter lead behind a balanced offensive attack. New Zealand fought back in the second quarter, matching the Opals with 20 points apiece to keep the deficit at nine heading into halftime.

The third quarter saw both teams trading baskets with Australia maintaining their advantage, before the hosts pulled away with a dominant 25-14 final quarter.

Courtney Woods was particularly effective during this stretch, connecting on back-to-back three-pointers to push the lead to double-digits. Woods added 16 points off the bench, including three triples, while Keely Froling contributed 11 points. The Australian bench provided a crucial 46 points compared to just 17 from New Zealand's reserves.

Australia's superior ball movement was evident throughout, recording 21 assists to New Zealand's 15. The visitors also dominated the glass, winning the rebounding battle 36-27, which led to a 15-3 advantage in second-chance points. Australia was particularly effective inside, outscoring New Zealand 48-28 in the paint.

Despite committing 14 turnovers, Australia's defence forced 22 from New Zealand, converting those opportunities into 26 points. The Opals shot an impressive 58% on two-point attempts (24-from-41), while utilizing their size advantage to block two shots and establish control inside.

Tall Ferns captain Esra Mcgoldrick led the scoring for the hosts with 19 points.