Brigham Young University lost to Stanford University in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Tuesday leaving Esra McGoldrick as the only Kiwi woman left competing at the Big Dance.
Cantabrian McGoldrick and North Carolina State University are headed to the Sweet 16 of the Women’s Tournament. The Wolfpack defeated Kentucky 72-57 on Tuesday to advance from the round of 32 for the second consecutive season.
NCSU shortened their rotation to basically six players although McGoldrick, the seventh and only other player used, was afforded a minute on court.
The Wolfpack now head to Greensboro to take on Iowa on Sunday (NZT) looking for a place in the quarter-finals.
Unfortunately they won’t be joined by BYU and its trio of Kiwis (Shalae Salmon, Khaedin Taito & Kaylee Smiler) as the Cougars, trailing by just two at half-time (31-29), lost 72-63 to Stanford.
Salmon grabbed a couple of rebounds and scored with her only shot as BYU finish the season with a 26-7 record and the consolation of the West Coast Conference title locked away in the trophy cabinet.
New Zealand representation is now down to two with Jack Salt (Virginia University Cavaliers) the only survivor at the Men’s Tournament.
The Cavaliers are also Sweet Sixteen bound and next play on Friday against Oregon.
LACEY LOWDOWN 