Result: BNZ Northern Kāhu (85) defeat Northern Group Tauranga Whai (84)
High energy and good shot selection would set the tone for the first quarter. It'd be Mo Mullings leading the way for the home side Kāhu as she'd put up 13 first quarter points. On the other side, Emme Shearer and Laina Snyder would keep their form and lead their side as they'd turn a 1 point first quarter advantage into a 12 point lead heading into halftime. The Kāhu would come out of the locker room firing as Shanique Lucas would come off the bench and pour in 9 3rd quarter points. They'd put 33 points up and hold the Whai to just 18 and suddenly we'd have a ballgame. The game would be close throughout the fourth quarter until ultimately the Whai would have a 1 point lead with mere seconds left. A drive by Erin Bollmann would result in two free throw attempts. Both of which she'd convert to carry a one point lead as the Whai called a timeout. They'd go to inbound the ball but the Kāhu would keep themselves in front of their opponents and wouldn't allow an opportunity to inbound. The Whai would call a player timeout, only to find the rules don't allow back to back timeouts. The ball would be given to the Kāhu with two seconds left and they'd inbound and hold for the Northern Kāhu's second win of the season.
Leading Players:
BNZ Northern Kāhu: Talya Brugler (20p, 4r), Mo Mullings (17p, 11r, 4a, 2s), Erin Bollmann (15p, 7r, 3a, 4s, 1b)
Northern Group Tauranga Whai: Emme Shearer (25p, 6r, 3a, 1s, 1b), Laina Snyder (21p, 10r, 5a, 2s), Nici Gilday (12p, 3r, 6a, 1s)
MVP Votes:
Mo Mullings (Kāhu) - 7
Laina Snyder (Whai) - 7
Emme Shearer (Whai) - 7
Tayla Dalton (Kāhu) - 5
Erin Bollmann (Kāhu) - 2
Talya Brugler (Kāhu) - 1
Nici Gilday (Whai) - 1
Rapid League game:
Result: BNZ Northern Kāhu (35) defeat Tauranga Whai (28)
The Whai would begin the game by smothering the high offensive prowess of the undefeated Kāhu. They'd keep the home side to just 4 points in the first quarter while the visitors put up 6 of their own. However, it wouldn't be long until the Kāhu found their offensive. They put up 15 points in the second quarter with Azure Anderson leading the way with 10 points and Emily Monaghan with 7. Both side would put up 9 points each in the 3rd quarter
Leading Players:
BNZ Northern Kāhu: Azure Anderson (13p, 1r, 2a, 2s), Emily Monaghan (9p, 1r, 1a), Sienna Maurice (8p)
Tauranga Whai: Eva Langton (8p, 3r, 1a), Ashlee Strawbridge (7p, 1r, 2b), Shamar Broughton (6p, 6r, 1a, 1s)
Rapid League MVP Votes:
Azure Anderson (Kāhu) - 9
Eva Langton (Whai) - 8
Ashlee Strawbridge (Whai) - 6
Sienna Maurice (Kāhu) - 6
Emily Monaghan (Kāhu) - 2
Shamar Broughton (Whai) - 1
