Matt Freeman
Recap of the latest action from NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball featuring Kiwis.
Former Westlake forward Yanni Wetzel had a career best 3 blocks as San Diego State moved to 3-0 for the season with an 86-61 win at Grand Canyon. Wetzel also secured 6 rebounds to accompany 8 points.
Also recording a career best was Matt Freeman. Another Westlaker, he had his best game to date for UC Santa Barbara as he tied career highs in points (15) and rebounds (5) whilst also dishing a career best 7 assists in the Gauchos narrow 82-81 win against Rice University.
Callum McRae, the former Palmerston North Boys High standout recorded his second double double (11 points and 12 rebounds) in as many games but it wasn’t enough to prevent University of California Riverside going down 62-49 to Sacramento State. He almost made it a third in the 58-51 loss to Pacific producing 8 points and 10 rebounds.
It was nice to see Cantabrian Angus McWilliam playing meaningful minutes for Riverside. The Cantabrian forward played 15 minutes in his second outing for the Highlanders since transferring from Texas Christian University and contributed 3 rebounds and 3 points.
Former Tall Blacks guard Izayah Le’afa had a solid game for Sacramento State. The Wellingtonian finished with 7 points, a pair of assists and 4 steals and knocked down perhaps the biggest shot of the game, a corner three that put the Hornets up with 2:13 to play.
Former Junior Tall Black and Westlake Boys forward James Moors has decided to redshirt this campaign meaning he will not play for Colorado State University in the current season. Instead he will concentrate on building his fitness and skill base for the 2020-21 season.
LACEY LOWDOWN 