The best performance by a Kiwi woman in the opening week of the NCAA Division I season went the way of Amiee Book.
The former Waimea College and Middleton Grange guard scored a career high 27 points on 10 from 16 shooting for Cal State Fullerton in their 79-63 loss to Southern Utah. Last season Book knocked down the three-ball at 43.2% (the third best three-point shooting in UCSF history) and she was back in the groove making 6 from 9 from beyond the arc in against Southern Utah. Book also added 7 rebounds for good measure.
There were a number of ther noteworthy performances in the opening week.
Kendell Heremaia posted a fine double despite Fordham University losing their opening two games. Heremaia logged 14 points (5/7 3PG) and 9 rebounds as Fordham fell 60-55 to #16 Notre Dame. She followed that with 13 points and 4 rebounds in the 70-51 loss at Columbia.Also doing damage on the boards was BYU centre Shalae Salmon. The Cougars senior pulled down 7 rebounds and added 11 points and a pair of blocks in the 105-52 win against Antelope Valley.
Also doing damage on the boards was BYU centre Shalae Salmon. The Cougars senior pulled down 7 rebounds and added 11 points and a pair of blocks in the 105-52 win against Antelope Valley.
Michelle Nicholls, having transferred from La Salle University has made a successful start to her career at Purdue, Fort Wayne. She led all scorers with 18 points 3/5 3PG) as Purdue beat University of Illinois at Chicago 61-50.
McKenna Dale missed all of last season with an ACL injury but showed no signs of rustiness making 9 points and 5 rebounds as Brown University lost a low scoring encounter with Bryant 45-44.
Kayla Manuirirangi began the season with 10 points (3/6 3PG) as Tulane University Green Wave cruised past Jackson State 82-48.
Sophomore guard Sariah Penese came up with 5 points, a couple of assists and 3 steals as Maryland Baltimore defeated Gettysburg 92-50.
Shout-out to the freshmen who made their Division I debuts. Tara Manumaleuga who produced 3 points, 2 rebounds and an assist on debut for Arizona in the 74-42 demolition of North Dakota.
Kaylee Smiler knocked down a free throw to score her first point as BYU had little trouble in beating Antelope Valley 105-52.
Charlotte Whittaker (3 points and a rebound) saw 13 minutes of action as University of Colorado opened the season with a comfortable 80-57 win against New Jersey Institute.
Akiene-Tera Reed has missed a couple of games with a hand injury but she is expected to make a return in the near future.
LACEY LOWDOWN 