G.J. GARDNER HOMES TAUIHI
BNZ Northern Kāhu [81] def. Northern Group Taurunga Whai [66] in a dominant display to record their first win of the season.
Game Recap:
The Northern Kāhu set the tone early with a 25-16 opening quarter, then rode a balanced attack to stay in front the rest of the way at Eventfinda Stadium. Whai refused to go away, trimming the margin to single digits in the third and again early in the fourth behind the inside work of Hannah Hank and the playmaking of Jessica McDowell-White. With the lead down to nine, Abigail Curtin ignited the decisive run, crashing the glass, getting to the line and knocking down a string of threes that pushed the advantage back beyond 20. Tahlia Tupaea controlled the tempo and repeatedly got to the rim or the stripe, while Amy Jacobs provided timely scoring punches in the backcourt. Kāhu’s poise in late-game situations and their ability to convert free throws in the second half ultimately kept Whai at arm’s length to close out the 15-point win.
Scoreline & Top Performers:
Northern Kāhu - Tahlia Tupaea (22 PTS, 3 REB, 6 AST), Amy Jacobs (13 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST), Abigail Curtin (23 PTS, 9 REB, 1 AST)
Taurunga Whai - Hannah Hank (20 PTS, 18 REB, 3 AST), Jessica McDowell-White (17 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST) Mikayla Cowling (7 PTS, 8 REB, 2 AST)
BNZ Northern Kāhu [35] def. Northern Group Taurumga Whai [20] - Kāhu defence locks in as Tuilave and Schroeder spearhead a team win at home
Northern Kāhu controlled the Rapid League clash from start to finish, holding Whai to just five points in every quarter on the way to a 35–20 win. Vitolia Tuilave was active early, scoring inside and knocking down a three to spark a 7-5 first period before the Kāhu’s defensive pressure completely smothered the Whai’s rhythm. Emma-Kaye Schroeder and Keeley Tini added timely buckets as the Kāhu steadily built the margin to double digits, fuelled by strong work on the glass and multiple second-chance looks. Whai found brief momentum, but the visitors struggled to generate efficient shots against the rotating Kāhu defence. A late push from Sienna Maurice and Azure Anderson helped Kāhu close out the contest comfortably, extending the lead to 15 in the final minute.
Northern Kāhu - Vitolia Tuilave (9 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST), Emma-Kaye Schroeder (7 PTS), Keeley Tini (8 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST)
Taurunga Whai - Riley McClenaghan (8 PTS, 1 AST), Laura Kuka (4 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST), Sophia Locandro (2 PTS, 5 REB)
