The big news today is that Tera Reed and Virginia Commonwealth are headed to the Atlantic 10 Grand Final tomorrow. They have done so at the expense of Kendell Heremaia and Zara Jillings, defeating Fordham in a tight semi-final 60-55 after trailing by as manty as 17 points at one stage in the third quarter.
Unfortunately Kayla Manuirirangi (Tulane University) and Tara Manumaleuga (University of Arizona in Tucson) plus the trio of Kiwis at BYU all bowed out of championship contention today.
Below is the schedule for the Kiwi women – see who is playing when in NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Conference Championships.
NB All games are US time therefore a day behind NZ – ie games scheduled for March 7 in the States are played Sunday March 8 in NZ
Results March 7th
Akiene-Tera Reed (Virginia Commonwealth University)
Tera Reed and Virginia Commonwealth are headed to the Atlantic 10 Tournament Grand Final tomorrow where they will take on #1 Dayton.
Reed, working her way back to full fitness after an injury lay-off, scored 12 points and also came up with a couple of rebounds, an assist and a steal.
The 60-55 semi-final victory against Fordham avenged last year’s A-10 Tournament loss when they were pipped in the Grand Final against the same opponents..
Kendell Heremaia and Zara Jillings (Fordham University)
There could only be one winner in the battle of the Kiwis and on this occasion it wasn’t to be for Fordham. The defending champions went down in the A-10 semi-final to VCU 60-55. Kendell Heremaia filled the stats line with 5 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and a block. Zara Jillings garnered 4 rebounds and a free-throw.
Shalae Salmon, Khaedin Taito 7 Kaylee Smiler (Brigham Young University)
BYU, ranked third in the West Coast Conference were upset 62-51 by #6 Pepperdine in the WCC quarter-finals.
In their final games for BYU Khaedin Taito failed to score, while Shalae Salmon had 2 points and 2 rebounds. Freshman Kaylee Smiler produced 4 points, 2 rebounds an assist and a block.
Kayla Manuirirangi (Tulane University)
No5 ranked Tulane were beaten 64-50 by #4 University of South Florida in the quarter-finals
of the American Athletic Conference Tournament. The defeat brought the curtain down on senior guard Kayla Manuirirangi’s career with the Green Wave – it was the 119th and final appearance for former New Plymouth Girls High standout.
Tara Manumaleuga (University of Arizona in Tucson)
In the Pac 12 Tournament semi-final Arizona came up against Oregon (ranked #1 in the Pac 12 and #3 in the nation). Arizona hung tough for long spells but were eventually overpowered 88-70.
Amiee Book (California State University Fullerton)
Cal State Fullerton head to the Big West Conference Tournament with an 8-8 record after being downed 68-52 by UC Irvine. Amiee Book recorded her second double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Tsubasa Nisbett (Georgia Southern University Eagles)
Georgia Southern, in their last Sun Belt Conference regular season game, left it late to beat Georgia State. A game winning three with 22 seconds left on the clock propelled the Eagles to a 77-74 win and with it a place in the conference play-offs.
McKenna Dale (Brown University)
Brown University (2-12) concluded a disappointing Ivy League season with a 72-58 loss at Dartmouth. Only the top four teams qualify for play-offs and Brown are well down the league standings. McKenna Dale finished her junior season in style scoring a career high 28 points.
March 8th
Akiene-Tera Reed (Virginia Commonwealth University)
Tera Reed and Virginia Commonwealth are up against #1 Dayton in their return to the Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship Game.
March 9th
Tegan Graham (Colgate University)
Number three seeded Colgate (11-6) meet #6 Lehigh in the Patriot League quarter-finals. Colgate lost their final three regular season games including a home game against Lehigh.
Joellen How (Wagner College)
No 8 seed Wagner College Seahawks are up against it as they face top-seed Robert Norris University in a Northeast Conference Quarter-Final.
March 10th
Tsubasa Nisbett (Georgia Southern University)
Georgia Southern open Sun Belt Conference Tournament play.
Amiee Book (California State University Fullerton)
Cal State Fullerton head to the Big West Conference Tournament for a first round match up.
Roll of Honour
Katelin Noyer (Fresno State University)
Mountain West Conference Regular Season Champions and MWC Tournament runners-up.
Pareunora Pene (University of Tennessee Chattanooga)
Southern Conference Regular Season Champions.
Akiene-Tera Reed (Virginia Commonwealth University)
Atlantic 10 Regular Season Runners-up.
Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team
Zara Jillings (Fordham University Rams)
Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team
Kendell Heremaia (Fordham University Rams)
Atlantic 10 All-Conference Third Team
LACEY LOWDOWN 