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WILDCATS SNEAK PAST BREEZE IN OVERTIME

Tessa Boagni was the star of the show as Alloyfold Canterbury Wildcats beat Platinum Homes Harbour Breeze 75-70 after overtime in the late game of the Sal’s NBL on Friday evening at Pulman Arena in Auckland.

The Wildcats centre knocked down a three to tie tied the game (62-62) with 9.2 seconds left in regulation to force overtime. She scored 8 points in the additional spell and finished with a huge double-double of 34 points and 21 rebounds.

It was the perfect start for coach Mel Downer and her charges after failing to win a game last season.

Earlier Ella Fotu scored the opening points of the game but it was the Wildcats that grabbed the early initiative opening an 11-6 lead – Hannah Mischewski draining a three with her first shot in the NBL.

Tessa Gush and Tiarna Clarke replied from long range enabling Breeze to take a 19-15 advantage into the first break.

Boagni, returning to action after a 12 months absence, opened the second quarter scoring from inside and when a long three followed the Tall Ferns forward was the first player into double figures – the scores locked at 22 points apiece.

Fotu’s corner three reinstated the Breeze lead but a Nicole Cutler score on the half-time buzzer tied proceedings at 30 points each.

Harbour breezed to an 11-0 start to the second half before Boagni snared her tenth rebound with an offensive board and a put back bucket.

Lauryn Hippolite and Gemma Etheredge trimmed the deficit further – Andrea Gleeson tying the game once again.

Clarke had the last say of the quarter to give the Breeze a 48-44 lead at the last break.

Gleason made it a one point game with 6 minutes to play and Boagni kept it that way with a baby hook – 3:30 remaining.

Neither team could land the killer punch down the stretch, an extra five minutes and Boagni’s heroics needed to separate the two.

 

Canterbury Wildcats (75) defeated Harbour Breeze (70) AOT - BOX SCORE

BREEZE: T Boagni 34pts/21rebs/5steals, L Hippolite 9/10a, A Gleason 8, H Mischewski 6

WILDCATS: T Clarke 30, E Fotu 13, J Kailahi-Fulu 12, A Anderson 6, K Tini 2/9r

 

Talking Points

1. In 2020 Harbour Breeze didn’t lose a game while Canterbury Wildcats failed to win one, would those result sequences continue? It’s only the first game but Boagni has rejuvenated the Wildcats and the Breeze have a little soul searching to do
2. Tessa Boagni claiming a huge double-double on her return to the NBL is pleasing for Wildcats and Tall Ferns fans alike – what a performance.
3. Tiarna Clarke and Lauryn Hippolite, two of the up and coming guards in the NBL, had a ding-dong battle – your referee scored the contest a draw!

 

Bartercard MVP Votes

10 points - T Boagni (Wildcats)

8 points - T Clarke (Breeze)

5 points - E Fotu (Breeze)

3 points – L Hippolite (Wildcats)

2 points – T Elia (Wildcats)

2 points – J Kailahi-Fulu (Breeze)

 

SCHEDULE

All games are at Bruce Pulman Arena in Takanini, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

 

Photo Credit: Photosport