With record numbers of Kiwis playing college basketball in the States instances of New Zealand players taking the floor in direct opposition are becoming more and more common.
In the last three days there have been four editions of Mate v Mate, Kiwi v Kiwi, with Penina Davidson involved in two encounters – in total six Tall Ferns were in action.
First up Davidson and the Cal Berkeley Bears proved too good for Jacinta Beckley and Seattle Redhawks winning 87-67.
Beckley was in good form for the Redhawks nailing 15 points despite fouling out in 23 minutes.
Davidson contributed 3 points, 6 rebounds and a brace of assists in Cal’s fourth win of the season.
In the second episode it took an overtime period for Krystal Leger-Walker and Tiarna Clarke to edge Shalae Salmon and BYU Cougars 79-74.
For the Bears Leger-Walker, the only senior NZ international amongst the trio in this encounter, dished a team high 5 assists to go with 2 points and 3 rebounds. Freshman guard Tiarna Clarke chipped in with 6 points in the win.
Salmon continued her outstanding start to her sophmore season at BYU with 11 points and 6 rebounds.
In the third match up Davidson and Cal Berkeley prevailed once again this time smothering Santa Clara Broncos 79-41.
Dru Toleafoa, after an injury plagued spell, is enjoying some productive minutes for the Broncos and had 7 points, 4 rebounds and a block in a game in which they gave Cal a 16-0 start and never recovered.
It wasn’t the best of outings for Davidson who fouled out in just 16 minutes although in that time the former Rangitoto College standout produced 4 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals.
In the battle of two Kiwi centres Tessa Boagni and Cal State Northridge Matadors proved too good for Katelin Noyer and Fresno State Bulldogs winning 85-71 in the Matadome.
Boagni was outstanding with a career high 5 blocks to add to 10 points, 8 rebounds plus 2 steals for good measure.
Noyer dealt mainly in pairs having 2 points, 2 assists and 2 blocks for the Bulldogs.
LACEY LOWDOWN 