At least one Kiwi will be heading to the Big Dance later this month. Following Saturday’s semi-final victories, Fordham University and Virginia Commonwealth University will meet in the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament Final – the winners automatically booking themselves a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
In its semi-final Fordham Rams completely, overwhelmed Duquesne 76-34 to advance to its third ever Atlantic 10 Championship game.
Once again, the Kiwi trio of senior forward Mary Goulding alongside sophomores Kendell Heremaia and Zara Jillings were prominent.
Goulding, the leading rebounder for Fordham this season posted 19 points to go with 7 boards. Heremaia was also in double figures with 10 points and 5 rebounds whilst Jillings came up with 6 points and 3 rebounds.
Virginia Commonwealth was forced to work much harder to secure its place in a first ever Atlantic 10 Championship game having to come from behind to defeat Dayton 61-52.
Akiene-Tera Reed couldn’t reproduce her heroics from the day before when she scored 21 points in the quarter-final victory against St Joseph’s. However the sophomore swingman still produced 9 rebounds, 7 points and 3 assists in the win.
Fordham and VCU shared the Atlantic 10 regular season title with identical records and it is fitting that the two teams meet in the Championship game tomorrow.
The two teams met just once in regular season action with VCU prevailing 47-44 back in January. Expect the final to be just as close in the clash Monday morning (NZT).
LACEY LOWDOWN 