Result: Tokomanawa Queens (69) are defeated by Northern Kāhu (75)
In a game of two distinctly different halves, the Northern Kāhu overcame an early double-digit deficit to defeat the Tokomanawa Queens at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua.
The Queens came out of the gates on fire, racing to a 22-13 lead after the first quarter behind sharp shooting from Taylor Mikesell and Krystal Leger-Walker, who combined for multiple three-pointers and driving layups to put Tokomanawa in control. The Kāhu struggled to find their rhythm early, but began chipping away in the second quarter. Talya Brugler and Mo Mullings sparked the comeback with strong play inside, and by halftime, the Queens' lead had been trimmed to just 43-44.
The third quarter proved to be the turning point. The Kāhu exploded for 21 points while holding the Queens to just 10, flipping the game on its head. Tayla Dalton and Kayla Manuirirangi hit crucial shots to give Northern the lead, and Erin Bollmann provided a steadying presence on both ends of the floor. By the end of the period, the Kāhu had built a 65-53 advantage.
The Queens refused to go away quietly, however. Stella Beck and Krystal Leger-Walker led a fourth-quarter charge, cutting the deficit to single digits multiple times. A three-pointer from Taylor Mikesell with 43 seconds remaining made it 75-66, but the Kāhu's Shanique Lucas iced the game at the free-throw line, and the Northern defense held firm in the closing seconds to secure the 75-69 victory.
For the Kāhu, Brugler was dominant inside, while Dalton and Lucas made key plays down the stretch. The Queens were paced by Mikesell's scoring and Leger-Walker's all-around game, but their inability to sustain their first-quarter momentum ultimately proved costly.
Leading Players
Tokomanawa Queens: Taylor Mikesell (22P, 7R, 2A), Krystal Leger-Walker (18P, 12R, 9A), Stella Beck (7P, 2R, 3A)
Northern Kāhu: Talya Brugler (20P, 10R, 1A), Megan Mullings (15P, 8R, 2A), Erin Bollmann (10P, 7R, 4A)
Tauihi MVP Votes:
Krystal Leger-Walker (Queens) - 8
Talya Brugler (Kāhu) - 8
Taylor Mikesell (Queens) - 7
Mo Mullings (Kāhu) - 5
Erin Bollmann (Kāhu) - 1
Tayla Dalton (Kāhu) - 1
Rapid League game:
Result: Tokomanawa Queens (27) are defeated by the Northern Kāhu (35)
In a tightly contested, defense-first Rapid League matchup, the Northern Kāhu defeated the Tokomanawa Queens 35-27 at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua.
The Kāhu set the tone early, taking a 7-4 lead after the first quarter and extending it to 19-13 by halftime. Shanique Lucas was instrumental for the Kāhu throughout, knocking down timely three-pointers and converting a crucial three-point play in the fourth quarter to keep her side in control. The Queens struggled to find offensive rhythm for much of the game, managing just 4 points in the first quarter and 4 in the third, which ultimately proved costly.
Tokomanawa showed signs of life in the final period, with Nahala Toeleiu catching fire from beyond the arc. Her back-to-back three-pointers midway through the fourth quarter cut the deficit to just four points at 27-23, giving the Queens a glimmer of hope. However, the Kāhu responded with composure, as Kayla Manuirirangi hit a pull-up jumper and Lucas made a key tip-in and free throw down the stretch to push the lead back to eight and seal the win.
For the Kāhu, Lucas led the way with a game-high scoring effort, while Manuirirangi and Emily Monaghan chipped in with important baskets at key moments. The Queens were paced by Toeleiu's late game heroics and contributions from Aria Cowley and Victoria Ikenasio, but their inability to sustain offensive momentum over the four quarters proved to be the difference.
Leading Players
Tokomanawa Queens: Nahala Toeleiu (15P, 4R, 2A), Alaska Rhebok (5P, 3R)
Northern Kāhu: Shanique Lucas (14P, 3R, 2A), Kayla Manuirirangi (7P, 2R)
Rapid League MVP Votes:
Nahala Toeleiu (Queens) - 9
Shanique Lucas (Kāhu) - 9
Kayla Manuirirangi (Kāhu) - 6
Alaska Rhebok (Queens) - 3
Ella Fotu (Kāhu) - 2
Victoria Ikenasio (Queens) - 1
