Beck (21) facing Davidson (centre in gold)
The American College basketball regular season swung into action at the weekend with multiple games involving Kiwis taking place. Below is a roundup of the action from Friday and Saturday.
A number of Tall Ferns put in some stirring performances most notably Stella Beck.
Beck knocked down 22 points for St Mary’s Gaels (3/6 3PG) and added 8 rebounds and 4 assists. However it wasn’t enough for the win as Cal Berkeley Golden Bears pipped the Gaels 87-80.
Penina Davidson, making her 100th appearance for the Bears, recorded the second double-double of her college career with 10 points (5/9FG) and a game high 12 rebounds.
In another Mate v Mate clash Brooke Blair emerged with the honours against Jacinta Beckley.
Blair top scored for Idaho State with 16 points (3/5 3PG) as the Bengals beat Seattle Redhawks 74-69. Blair also nabbed a game high 3 steals to accompany 3 rebounds and 4 assists.
Beckley was one of just three Seattle players in double figures scoring 10 points.
Krystal Leger-Walker was also impressive – the combo-guard played 38 minutes and contributed 8 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists as University of Northern Colorado defeated top 25 touted DePaul 94-88 in one of the most significant wins in UNC’s history. It is the Bears first win over a Top 25 rated team since gaining Division 1 status in 2006.
Freshman guard Tiarna Clarke earned the wrath of the referees fouling out in 13 minutes after a mixed bag of 3 points, 4 assists and 3 turnovers.
Tessa Boagni and Cal State Northridge Matadors found the going tough against No 11 ranked Oregon getting whacked 91-43. Boagni finished with 6 points, 5 rebounds and a block.
Kendell Heremaia (2p/5r/4a/2st) and Zara Jillings (4p/5r/1a/1st) played 26mins apiece on their regular season debuts as Fordham University Rams accounted for UMBC 55-46
Dru Toleafoa couldn’t find her scoring touch for Santa Clara finishing with 2 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists as Santa Clara lost 73-69 to Cal state Fullerton.
Katelin Noyer had 4 points, 4 rebounds, a block and a steal as Fresno State Bulldogs beat Eastern Washington 81-56.
News from the Men’s Division 1 scene is that Taki Fahrensohn will redshirt the 2017-18 season. The University of Portland Freshman recently required further surgery on a troublesome knee and although expected back on the training court next month a sensible, cautious approach has been chosen.
On the court Matt Freeman enjoyed a fine opener as the Oklahoma Sooners beat Omaha – that’s the university not the beach – 108-89. Freeman had his perimeter shot going in this one landing all three of his efforts from deep and finishing with 13 points (5/6FG).
Jack Salt played 29 minutes as Virginia beat UNC Greensboro 60-48 in their season opener. Salt finished with 6 points and 4 rebounds.
LACEY LOWDOWN 
A Big big win for Walker and Clarke, that is very significant!!
Yep, think they are hoping for a big season
Hopefully come the end of March, they will still be in action.
Shalae Salmon – started for BYU 17 rebounds 12 points, 3 blocks may be a noteworthy star!
Great numbers!!