Two teams coming off statement wins meet at Eventfinda Stadium on Sunday afternoon as the BNZ Northern Kāhu host Southern Hoiho in Round Two of G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa action.
Kāhu arrive home with momentum after overcoming a double-digit deficit to defeat the Queens in Porirua. It was an impressive response from Jo Wood’s side after their opening-round loss in Tauranga, with Talya Brugler, Megan Mullings and Erin Bollmann leading a second-half surge.
Hoiho make the trip north after producing their own turnaround, beating defending champions Tauranga Whai on Friday night to open the round’s action. Bec Pizzey was perfect from the floor, Paige Bradley controlled the game from the point and Julie Wojta made her presence felt at both ends.
That leaves both sides at 1-1, but the teams have used varying skill sets to get there. Hoiho have been one of the competition’s most efficient offensive teams so far, while Kāhu have found success through offensive rebounding and forcing turnovers while taking care of the ball themselves.
Hoiho swept all three meetings between the teams a season ago, including two victories at Eventfinda Stadium. Can Kāhu continue their strong start to the season and show that 2025 is firmly behind them, or will the visiting Hoiho make it two wins from two games on their first road double-header of the year?
When: Sunday 4 October
Where: Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland
Rapid League: 2:00pm
Tauihi: 3:00pm
Watch Live: Sky Sport 4 and Sky Sport NZ TikTok livestream in New Zealand, ESPN+ in the United States and FIBA YouTube everywhere else internationally
Commentary: Taylah Johnson and Casey Frank
Box Score Here
Buy Tickets Here
Kāhu are set to retain the starting five of Talya Brugler, Olivia Williams, Megan Mullings, Tayla Dalton and Erin Bollmann.
Their Rapid League group includes Kayla Manuirirangi, Emily Monaghan, Shanique Lucas, Azure Anderson, Ella Fotu and Sienna Maurice.
Hoiho list the same starting five that beat Whai, with Paige Bradley, Bec Pizzey, Julie Wojta, Marie Bertholdt and Lil Dart all available.
Zoe Richards, Tia Pavihi, Alexa Duff, Millie Simpson, Abby Harris and Aria Brown are available through the Rapid group. Sammy Gallaher remains questionable with a calf injury.
Hoiho swept the season series 3-0 last year, winning 96-69 and 73-59 at Eventfinda Stadium and 95-86 in Dunedin.
Hoiho shot 51 percent from the floor, piled up 63 rebounds and recorded 23 assists on their way to a 27-point road win. Jessie Edwards led the visitors with 22 points and 15 rebounds, while Aliyah Matharu paced Kāhu with 18 points and eight boards.
It was one of Hoiho’s strongest interior performances of the season and set the tone for the series.
Hoiho again found their offensive rhythm, shooting 50 percent from the field and handing out 23 assists in Dunedin. Claire Jacobs led Hoiho with 20 points, while Bec Pizzey pulled down 13 rebounds.
Kāhu produced considerably more offence than in the first meeting, with Abi Curtin scoring 25 points, but Hoiho were able to hold them off for the nine-point victory.
Hoiho completed the sweep back in Auckland.
Bec Pizzey led the visitors with 20 points, while Jessie Edwards grabbed 13 rebounds. Kāhu received 16 points apiece from Haliegh Reinoehl and Lauren Mansfield but were held to 59 points.
Kāhu’s first victory of 2026 was built on a complete change in momentum.
The Queens led 22-13 after the opening quarter and had established control behind Taylor Mikesell and Krystal Leger-Walker, but Kāhu gradually worked their way back into the contest.
The decisive stretch came after halftime.
Kāhu held the Queens to just 10 points in the third quarter while scoring 21 themselves, turning a halftime deficit into a 65-53 lead. Talya Brugler established herself inside, Megan Mullings provided rebounding and physicality, and Tayla Dalton helped guide the comeback from the point.
Brugler finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, Mullings had 15 points and eight rebounds, and Bollmann added 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
The most encouraging part for Kāhu may have been their composure. After being comprehensively beaten in stretches of their opener against Whai, they responded to early adversity and closed out a quality opponent.
Leading Players
Queens: Taylor Mikesell (22P, 7R, 2A), Krystal Leger-Walker (18P, 12R, 9A), Stella Beck (7P, 2R, 3A)
Kāhu: Talya Brugler (20P, 10R, 1A), Megan Mullings (15P, 8R, 2A), Erin Bollmann (10P, 7R, 4A)
Hoiho’s opening-round loss to Pouākai featured plenty of positive signs, and on Friday night they turned those signs into a win.
They held the defending champions to 59 points and received contributions throughout the starting five.
Bec Pizzey was superb, finishing with 15 points on a perfect 6-from-6 from the field, along with six rebounds. Bradley added 14 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Wojta produced 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals.
For Hoiho, the defensive performance was particularly important. Whai had scored 81 points and shot 52 percent in their opener, but Todd Marshall’s side prevented them from establishing the same rhythm and controlled the second half well enough to come away with the road win.
Leading Players
Whai: Laina Snyder (18 PTS, 14 REB, 4 AST, 4 STL), Patricia Brossmann (14 PTS, 10 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL), Emme Shearer (11 PTS, 3 REB)
Hoiho: Bec Pizzey (15 PTS, 6 REB, 6/6 FG), Paige Bradley (14 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST), Julie Wojta (13 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST, 4 STL)
This will be a defining part of Sunday’s game.
Kāhu lead Tauihi in offensive rebounds at 16.5 per game, while also committing a league-low 12 turnovers per game. Their +6.5 turnover margin is the best mark in the competition to this point.
That combination gives Jo Wood’s team extra opportunities even when the initial shot is not falling.
That is particularly important because their shooting efficiency has not been ideal. Kāhu have shot just 32 percent from the field through two games, the lowest percentage in the league. Their ability to extend possessions and generate trips to the free-throw line has been crucial in keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Hoiho attack the possession battle from a different angle.
They lead the league in assists at 22.5 per game, steals at 14.5 and blocks at 6.5. Their ball movement has created good shots, while their activity at the defensive end has consistently generated disruption.
In this battle of strength against strength, something has to give.
Talya Brugler is averaging 15.5 points and 8.5 rebounds, Megan Mullings is producing 9.5 points and 9.0 rebounds, and Erin Bollmann adds 14.0 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Brugler showed against the Queens how damaging she can be around the basket, while Mullings has already collected 10 offensive rebounds through two games and Bollmann does a little bit of everything.
That gives Kāhu genuine size and activity inside and out.
Hoiho will counter with one of the competition’s most efficient players in Bec Pizzey, who is averaging 14.5 points while shooting 75 percent from the field.
If Kāhu can consistently create second chances, they can negate some of Hoiho’s offensive efficiency. If Pizzey and the Hoiho frontcourt can finish possessions with rebounds, the visitors can get Bradley and Dart moving in transition.
Bradley remains at the centre of everything the Southerners do offensively.
She is averaging nine assists per game, tied for the competition lead, and Hoiho as a team also sit first in the category at 22.5 assists per game.
Kāhu, however, have shown an impressive ability to disrupt possession. Their opponents are turning the ball over 18.5 times per game, and Kāhu’s own low turnover rate means they have been winning that exchange.
The ability of Bradley and company to handle pressure and get Hoiho organised will be vital.
Both frontcourt players enter this matchup in strong form.
Brugler leads Kāhu in scoring at 15.5 points per game while adding 8.5 rebounds. Pizzey is averaging 14.5 points and six rebounds, but the standout figure in her stat line is an impressive 75 percent shooting from the field.
Brugler gives Kāhu a strong interior target and second-chance threat. Pizzey can score efficiently, defend the paint and facilitate from the frontcourt.
Their ability to stay out of foul trouble and control the glass will have a major influence on the result.
Two point guards with different early-season statistical profiles will likely see plenty of each other on the court.
Bradley is averaging 13.5 points and nine assists, while also leading the league with 4.5 steals per game after grabbing seven in her first game of the season.
Dalton is averaging eight points and 2.5 assists, but her value goes beyond the box score as a key organiser of a largely rebuilt Kāhu team. Her energy and enthusiasm are important at both ends of the court.
Who controls the tempo while limiting turnovers may matter as much as who wins the scoring matchup.
Mullings has quickly become one of Kāhu’s most important interior players, averaging nine rebounds and leading her team with 2.5 steals per game.
Wojta showed against Whai exactly why her experience was such an important addition for Hoiho, impacting the game as a scorer, rebounder, passer and defender.
Both players can affect possessions without needing the ball in their hands, making this an under-the-radar but potentially crucial matchup.
| Category | Kāhu | Hoiho |
|---|---|---|
| Points | Talya Brugler, 15.5 | Lil Dart, 15.5 |
| Rebounds | Megan Mullings, 9.0 | Bec Pizzey, 6.0 |
| Assists | Erin Bollmann, 4.0 | Paige Bradley, 9.0 |
| Steals | Megan Mullings, 2.5 | Paige Bradley, 4.5 |
| FG% | Kayla Manuirirangi, 50% | Bec Pizzey, 75% |
| 3PM | Dalton/Manuirirangi, 1.0 pg | Dart/Bradley, 2.0 pg |
Brugler and Dart are tied on 15.5 points per game, while Pizzey, Bollmann and Bradley are among the early league leaders in their respective categories.
| Category | Kāhu | Hoiho |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 1-1 | 1-1 |
| Points | 67.5, 5th | 73.5, 2nd |
| Points Allowed | 75.0, 3rd | 73.0, 2nd |
| Scoring Margin | -7.5, 5th | +0.5, 3rd |
| FG% | 32%, 5th | 44%, 2nd |
| Defensive FG% | 46%, 5th | 40%, 3rd |
| FT% | 79%, 2nd | 74%, 3rd |
| Assists | 16.0, 5th | 22.5, 1st |
| Turnovers | 12.0, 1st | 16.5, 2nd |
| Offensive Rebounds | 16.5, 1st | 5.5, 5th |
| Steals | 9.5, 4th | 14.5, 1st |
| Blocks | 5.5, 2nd | 6.5, 1st |
The contrast is clear after two games for each team. Hoiho have been the better shooting and passing team, while Kāhu have generated value through possession security and offensive rebounding.
The early Rapid League numbers set up another intriguing matchup.
Kāhu are 2-0 and lead the league at both ends, scoring 36.5 points per game while allowing only 22.5. Hoiho are 1-1, averaging 28.5 points and conceding 34.0.
Kāhu have also been extremely efficient, shooting 44 percent while holding opponents to just 25 percent. Hoiho, meanwhile, lead Rapid League in three-point percentage at 39 percent.
The individual matchup is just as intriguing.
Alexa Duff is second in Rapid League scoring at 12.0 points per game, while Shanique Lucas sits third at 10.5. Lucas is shooting 56 percent from the field, while Duff has knocked down six threes through her first two games.
Kāhu also lead Rapid in steals at 10.5 per game and have a competition-best +8.0 turnover margin.
Hoiho will need to protect the ball considerably better than the Queens did if they are to slow Kāhu’s perfect Rapid League start.
Both teams should arrive at Eventfinda Stadium with growing confidence after picking up key wins following season-opening defeats.
Kāhu’s response against the Queens showed a resilience that was often missing during last season’s one-win campaign. They weathered an early storm, imposed themselves physically and found enough contributors to turn the game around.
Hoiho have also shown growth across their first two games. They were competitive against Pouākai before responding with a composed road victory over the defending champions, and their ability to move the ball and create defensive disruption has been evident from the outset.
Hoiho swept this matchup last season.
But the Kāhu team waiting for them on Sunday looks very different.
With both sides at 1-1 and both coming off quality wins, the opportunity is there for one to leave Eventfinda with some early-season momentum and move to 2-1.
