The NMI’s Men Basketball Team
THE NMI men’s basketball team was routed by Chuuk, 38-58, in the 2024 Micronesian Games in Majuro, the Marshall Islands on Wednesday.
The NMI started strong as the scoring duo of Douglas Schmidt and Coby Santos stood at the front line, scoring eight points in the first few minutes of the opening quarter. Chuuk eventually found their groove and aimed to close the distance, but the NMI countered with a big line that included Antoni Ogumoro, Marvin Rabauliman, and DJ Ong, who chipped in a bucket each to maintain a double-digit advantage, 19-7.
The NMI managed to hold their ground in the second period with Schmidt and Santos still at the frontline, but thanks to Chuuk’s never-ending pressure on the defensive end, they were able to cut down the NMI’s lead, 20-29.
In the third quarter, however, the NMI had no answer to the sheer hustle of Chuuk as they turned each defensive stop into a scored bucket on the other end with each player contributing to the rally that eventually established a double-digit spread, 44-32.
The NMI failed to get out of the gutter in the fourth and final quarter as they were allowed only six points while Chuuk sailed smoothly to victory, 58-38.
In their first game, the NMI men trounced Kiribati, 73-43.
The NMI’s Women Basketball Team
Women’s team
The NMI women’s team played their third game in the late afternoon, and lost 37-40 to the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Throughout the four quarters, several lead exchanges were made with neither team able to gain a proper lead and most points coming off the free-throw line or second chance buckets.
But the home team started the fourth quarter in control after scoring off a forced turnover. After several attempts, the NMI finally drew a foul but split the free throw shots. The RMI answered with a fast break play followed by a three-pointer to gain a two-possession advantage.
The NMI fired back with a triple, but the RMI continued to thrive in transition play, quickly finding an open teammate from underneath the rim for the easy bucket to retain the lead, 40-36.
In the last two minutes, the NMI tried to close the distance but only managed to split another free throw attempt.
With only 0.4 second left on the clock, the RMI seemed to have sealed the deal as they held the possession. However, they committed a backcourt violation during the inbound play resulting in a turnover. Still, there was not enough time for the NMI to pull a Hail Mary as the RMI quickly swatted the ball to clinch the win, 40-37.
It was the NMI women’s first loss in the tournament. They earlier beat Nauru and Chuuk.
