Over half of the 44 Kiwis playing NCAA Division I basketball have been in action in the last couple of days as the season proper got underway on Tuesday (Wednesday in NZ). Here’s an update on how they fared.
Tegan Graham, in her second season at Brigham Young University after transferring as a graduate from Colgate University , scored a BYU best 18 points to help propel the Cougars to an 81-58 win over Lipscombe. Graham shot 6 from 11 overall, 4 from 7 threes and also dished 6 assists. Kaylee Smiler was also prominent with 6 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists while Arielle Mackey-Williams added 2 points.
Charlisse Leger-Walker scored 22 points (8/13FG) as Washington State swept aside San Jose State 86-56. Named to the John Wooden Award and Naismith Trophy watch lists she also tallied 4 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. Krystal Leger-Walker also filled most the stat categories with 7 points, 3 rebounds 8 assists and 3 steals.
Freshman Olivia Williams enjoyed a fine debut as California Irvine romped home 114-53 against Westcliff. Straight into the starting line-up Williams scored the first points of the season for the Anteaters finishing with 13 points on 5 from 6 shooting making 2 out of three from beyond the arc.
Tara Manumaleuga made a 9 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals contribution as Texas Christian swamped Houston Baptist 78-48. For Houston Lauryn Mapusua had 5 points and 3 rebounds.
St Mary’s Gaels won at Nevada 66-61 but live stats malfunctioned and I’m not sure the end result was 100% accurate. Amy West was credited with 2 points and 8 rebounds, with Tayla Dalton finished with 8 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists while Jade Kirisome scored 2 points..
Other Kiwi Women in action:
University of Virginia Cavaliers 69 (Mckenna Dale 2rebs and 1 assist) James Madison 84
Fordham University Rams 79 (Kendell Heremaia 5pts, 6rebs, 4 assists) Quinnipiac 71 AOT
Grace Hunter Florida International 67 (Grace Hunter 3pts, 1reb) George Mason 69
University of Texas 131 (Kobe King-Hawea 7pts, 4rebs, 3 assists) New Orleans 36
Wofford College 48 (Helen Matthews 7pts, 2rebs, 1 block) Charleston 80
Colorado State 77 (Jess Moors 2pts, 3rebs, 2 assists) Colorado Christian 42
In Men’s Division I action the highlight was a first NCAA double-double for Sam Mennenga. The former Harbour forward scored 13 points (5/9FG) and snared 10 rebounds as Davidson College beat Delaware 93-71. Mennenga also dished 5 assists in a fine all-round game.
Callum McRae also had 13 points for California Riverside Highlanders in their 66-53 loss to San Diego State. The former Palmy North centre, who missed all of last season due to injury, also pulled down 4 boards on his return to action. Flynn Cameron (4 points) had a cold shooting night but did come up with 4 rebounds and a steal.
Sam Waardenburg, like Callum McRae missed the whole of last season due to injury, began 2021-22 with a career high tying 3 blocks to accompany 10 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Quite a return from the former Rangitoto College forward as Miami beat Canisius 77-67.
Dan Fotu made 2 out of 2 three-point shots on his way to 14 points and 4 rebounds as St Mary’s California beat Prairie View A&M 87-68.
Other Kiwi Men in action:
Abilene Christian 56 (Tobias Cameron 2 points, 1 assist) Utah 70
Colorado State 109 (James Moors 4pts, 2rebs, 2 blocks) Oral Roberts 80
Hartford Hawks 59 (Tom Webley 1 point) Wagner 77
NAIA Division 1
The Waikato duo of Maxim Stephens and Kael Robinson joint top scored with 15 points apiece as Rocky Mountain climbed all over Yellowstone Christian winning 99-65. Stephens added 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks while freshman Robinson made his highest collegiate score in just his fifth outing for Rocky.
Johnson 84 Milligan 68 (Finn McClure 10pts, 2 assists).
St Francis Illinois 58 (Reihana Maxwell-Topia 1 point, 8rebs) Calumet St Joseph 59
LACEY LOWDOWN 