In the latest wrap on Kiwis playing NCAA Division I women’s basketball it’s hard to pick the performance of the week as no fewer than eight players scored in double figures whilst Kendell Heremaia pulled down 14 rebounds.
It’s a tough one but I’m giving player of the week to freshman forward Charlotte Whittaker.
Whittaker is adapting well to her new surroundings at the University of Colorado. Following 11 points (5/6FG) in a 79-75 victory at Colorado State the Cantabrian produced 15 points (5/6FG, 4/4FT) in a 66-44 victory against Jacksonville in just her fifth game for Colorado. The Buffaloes now have five winsfrom five outings.
“Charlotte’s been playing really well, she’s a big and strong player. We’ve been playing all these teams with three-point shooters and she’s probably never seen that,” said Colorado Head Coach JR Payne.
Colgate Raiders also moved to 5-0 with a 90-69 win against Canisius. Guard Tegan Graham scored a season high 16 points (7/10FG) and added 4 assists for Colgate.
A single point behind was Michelle Nicholls who scored 15 points and pulled down 5 rebounds as Purdue Fort Wayne proved far too good for Heidelberg winning 82-55.
Kendell Heremaia demonstrated her value to Fordham University as the Rams secured a comprehensive 76-51 win against Charlotte.
The Junior guard scored eight points, but more significantly contributed a season-high 14 rebounds and six assists across 32 minutes. Heremaia leads the team in rebounding this season averaging 7.7 boards per game.
Amiee Book came close to her season average (14 points) as she made a dozen (4/9FG) in California State Fullerton’s decisive 83-62 win against Utah State.
Akiene-Tera Reed is a perfect 5 from 5 from behind the arc in the three games she has played this season for Virginia Commonwealth. In the 53-40 win against East Carolina she was 3 from 3 from deep and also added a free-throw in scoring 10 points.
Also in good form was McKenna Dale who scored a dozen points (4/6FG) and added a team high 6 rebounds in Brown University’s 76-68 win at New Hampshire.
The matchup between BYU’s Shalae Salmon and Fresno State’s Katelin Noyer brought out the best in the two Kiwis. The pair posted their finest performances of the season to date as BYU Cougars held on to beat Fresno State Bulldogs 71-65.
In her first start of the year Salmon, the former Wellington Girls College standout produced her first career double-double registering 16 points and 11 rebounds – 5 of those rebounds off the offensive glass.
“Shalae was very physical inside and made some nice passes,” said BYU Head Coach Jeff Judkins.
Salmon shot a very handy 6 from 11 from the field whilst knocking down all four of her free-throws.
Interestingly Noyer, shot an identical 6 from 11 as she tallied 12 points and 2 boards.
“We had a great run there at the end, I just wish we wouldn’t have waited so long,” said Fresno State Head Coach Jaime White, referring to the fact the Bulldogs trailed by 17 points in the third quarter.
“I thought Kate did a good job coming and defending in the post and also scoring in the post,” said White referring to the good work from the 2016 Tall Fern.
Fresno State drop to 3-2 for the season with BYU 2-1 having played just the three games.
LACEY LOWDOWN 