Yesterday was a huge day of college basketball when no fewer than 20 NCAA Division I games, involving 25 New Zealand players, took place.
Below are the highlights, with pride of place going to Sam Waardenburg who played his 100th game for the University of Miami Hurricanes. Unfortunately, the Hurricanes, although making a comeback from 26-points down, fell 61-60 in a top of the table Atlantic Coast Conference clash with Florida State.
Waardenburg scored 8 points and also added a pair of rebounds and a career high-tying 3 blocks.
Kruz Perrott-Hunt was again amongst the points as South Dakota recorded a fourth straight win defeating St Thomas 90-79. The former Rosmini College standout scored 22 points. Averaging 15 points per game Perrott-Hunt has totaled 81 points across those four victories.
Davidson’s visit to Fordham was notable on two counts. Sam Mennenga constructed a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds for Davidson while another former Harbour representative Zach Riley made his debut for Fordham playing just under 4 minutes.
Mennenga’s career high rebound count included 5 offensive boards – Davidson top of the Atlantic 10 Conference with six consecutive wins.
Flynn Cameron scored 11 points and Callum McRae sunk 6 points as UC Riverside defeated California State Northridge 77-67. Cameron added 5 rebounds and 2 steals while McRae, who also pulled down 5 boards, also had 4 assists 2 blocks and a steal. Riverside now 3-1 in the Big West.
Dan Fotu enjoyed his most productive outing in recent times as St Mary’s Gaels beat Loyola Marymount 83-51. Fotu finished with 8 points (3/5FG), 6 rebounds and a pair of assists.
Other Men’s Results:
Colorado State 73 (James Moors 5pts, 3 rebounds, 1 block) Air Force 53
Abilene Christian 77 (Tobias Cameron 6 points, 6 rebounds) California Baptist 68
Kendell Heremaia was a rebound shy of a double-double as Fordham beat Davidson 63-51. The former Waikato standout compiled 18 points (4/8 3PG), 9 boards, an assist and a steal.
In women’s Division I action Tera Reed put in a big shift in Southern California’s 68-58 loss to UCLA. Tera scored 13 points (5/8FG) and added 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 rebounds in 34 minutes.
Grace Hunter top scored for Florida International in their 87-66 loss at Western Kentucky. The Wellingtonian scored 11 points and dished a pair of assists.
Tegan Graham had a handy stats line of 4 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals as BYU (5-0) remained unbeaten in West Coast Conference play with a 74-63 win in San Diego.
Other Women’s Results:
Houston Baptist 44 (Lauryn Mapusua 7 points, 2 rebs, 2 assists) A&M Corpus Christie 57
Virginia 48 (McKenna Dale 7 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist) Duke 57
Wofford 53 (Helen Matthews 2 points, 1 rebound) Mercer 67
St Mary’s 53 (Tayla Dalton 6pts, 2rebs, 2 assists, Amy West 2pts, Jade Kirisone 3rebs, 3 steals, 3 assists) Gonzaga 66
Fresno State 74 (Amiee Book 3 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist) New Mexico 80
UC Irvine 50 (Olivia Williams 3pts, 3 steals, 1 rebound) Long Beach 62
Portland 76 (Emme Shearer 2pts, 2rebs, 2 assists, 1 steal) Santa Clara 71 AOT
LACEY LOWDOWN 