Conference play is now underway in all NCAA Division I basketball programmes and there have been some strong performances from Kiwi women in the early exchanges. Here we highlight the best of the best amongst the Kiwi women in the past week beginning with a career high from a former Tall Fern.
The University of Northern Colorado Bears have begun Big Sky Conference play in strong fashion winning their opening three games, the most recent an 86-72 win at Idaho – the Bears have won 11 straight games dating back to last season. Krystal Leger-Walker scored a conference career best 19 points for NCU converting 6 from 8 from the field including both of her three-point attempts.
Kendell Heremaia was in typical stats stuffing form as Fordham University Rams moved to 2-0 in Atlantic 10 Conference play with a 50-38 defensive masterclass against George Washington. The St Peter’s School alumni, like Leger-Walker, dished a career best 6 assists to go with 5 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals.
Cantabrian Mary Goulding was also in good form for the Rams compiling a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds, 5 of those at the offensive end. It was the third double-double of the campaign for Goulding who is averaging 10.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in her senior season.
Kayla Manuirirangi scored 16 points (4/7 3PG) as Tulane University Green Wave beat Central Michigan 68-57 at the Miami Holiday Classic. The Taranaki guard then scored 8 points as Tulane began American Conference play with a 68-57 win against East Carolina University.
Akiene-Tera Reed followed up her career best 28 points last week with 11 points, 5 rebounds and a couple of assists as Virginia Commonwealth Rams beat St Joseph’s 59-40 to open their Atlantic 10 Conference slate in positive fashion.
Brigham Young University Cougars beat Loyola Marymount 55-44 in West Coast Conference action with Shalae Salmon getting 8 points, on a perfect 4 from 4 from the field, in addition to 5 rebounds and a block. The Cougars are a perfect four from four in conference play.
La Salle University fell 74-47 to Temple to slump to 3-11 for the season ahead of conference play. Michelle Nicholls scored 9 points (3/5 3PG) for La Salle and added deuces in rebounds, assists and steals.
Opunake native Joellen How came up with 5 points, 3 rebounds and a steal for Wagner College but the Seahawks went down 76-61 against St Francis in their opening Northeast Conference game.
LACEY LOWDOWN 