There have been plenty of good performances by Kiwis in the opening week of the 2024-25 NCAA Division I season. Here is a run-down on the highlight efforts including a couple of career high’s.
Mackenzie Chatfield (Sophomore at Western Kentucky) made 5 from 9 threes on her way to a career high 19 points against Indiana State. Given limited opportunities in her freshman year Chatfield only scored 19 points in the whole of last season! Chatfield followed that with 7 points and 6 steals in the 104-49 win against Kentucky State.
Leah Mafua (Senior at Central Arkansas) 17 points 5 rebound & 2 blocks in 63-44 win v Samford.
Lilly Parke (Junior at Fairleigh Dickinson) had a team high 17 points (3/5 3PG) plus 7 rebounds in the 63-59 win against Mount St Mary’s.
Emme Shearer (Senior at Portland) 15 points in 76-65 home win against Hawaii. The 13th Kiwi to pass 1,100 points in NCAA Women’s Division I hoops.
Helen Matthews (Senior at Wofford) 15 points in 75-56 defeat of NC Central. Her first basket of the game carried her past 600 career points at Wofford.
Olivia Williams (Sophomore at UC Irvine) made 3 from 5 threes as she also carved out 15 points to go with 7 rebounds as UCI beat William & Mary 72-55.
Izzy Pugh (Freshman at Wisconsin, Milwauke)
After posting 3 rebounds and 3 assists in 84-81 overtime loss at St Thomas the former Westlake Girls forward came up big in game two of the season with 14 points (6 from 8FG), 4 rebs and 1 block in a 74-49 win over Carroll.
Maia Jones (Sophomore at St Mary’s) had a stats stuffing 13 points, 8 assists, 3 steals and 3 rebounds in 69-64 home win against Denver.
Kaitlin Burgess (Senior at Weber State) 12 points in 94-41 win v Park Gilbert
Made 4 from 6 from deep in her first game for Weber State since transferring from Boise State.
Dani Bayes (Junior at Boise State) 12 points in the 87-57 win against Eastern Oregon.
In her 50th game for Boise the junior guard passed 500 career points.
Ritorya Tamilo (Freshman at Hawaii) scored 10 points in each of her first two games – a 76-65 loss to Portland followed by a 72-50 win against Portland State.
Breeje Schuler (Eastern Washington) 8 points and 4 rebounds in an 83-82 overtime loss at Charlisse Leger-Walker’s former school, Washington State.
NCAA Division I Men
Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones (Senior at UC San Diego) is closing in on 500 career points at UC San Diego after posting 25 points on 9 from 11 shooting as the Tritons outscored Pepperdine 94-76. The Wellingtonian is currently sitting on 494 points at 14.1ppg.
Nic Book (Freshman at South Carolina Upstate) shooting a perfect 7 from 7 from the field scored 14 points to accompany 9 rebounds in a 103-70 win against Piedmont. That after 10 points (4/8FG) and 8 rebounds in the 97-66 loss to North Carolina State on debut.
Tom Beattie (Sophomore at Hawaii) scored 13 points on 6 from 8 shooting in 96-61 win against LIFE Pacific.
Isaiah Chappell (Freshman at UC Davis) 10pts, 7rebs, 1blk v Washington, lost 79-73 on debut. The 6’9” forward is the son of former Breakers import Mike Chappell.
Ben Gold (Junior at Marquette) 10 points, 5 rebounds and 4 blocks in 82-63 win against George Mason.
LACEY LOWDOWN 