Day two of the National Tertiary Championships brought more excitement to the court, with the third and final round of Men’s pool play and semi-finals, as well as the Women’s preliminary semis and semi-finals.
Women’s Semi-Finals
Preliminary Semi-final 1 – University of Otago 81, University of Canterbury 59
In a battle of southern teams, Millie Simpson’s 20 points led the University of Otago to a 22-point win in the first Preliminary semi-final; earing themselves the right to face AUT in the Semis.. Simpson was backed up by Tyler Mitchell’s 16 points, with Grace Adams chipping in 10. Canterbury saw four players in double figures, led by Eniselina Pale’s 13 points and 12 from Te Rina Heta-Cooper. Emily Knight and Riva Pitman each scored 10.
Box score: https://tinyurl.com/4zzcyjrc
Preliminary Semi-final 2 – University of Waikato 91, University of Auckland 72
In the second preliminary Semin-final, the University of Waikato relied on the duo of Kayla Manuirirangi (23 points) and Aria Cowley (21) to register a 19-point win. Waikato also saw support from Mayako Taingahue (14 points) and 11 from Jasmine Mccleery, who next face Victoria University of Wellington in the semis. Auckland was paced by Simone Barnard and her 17 points (4 from outside), while Raykesha-Line Burgess-Fiatau had 16 points, Rebecca Hughes 12 and Casey Leyson with 10.
Box score: https://tinyurl.com/4nbvnarw
Semi-final 1 – Victoria University of Wellington 72, University of Waikato 50
Victoria University of Wellington relied on Tokomanawa Queen Jacinta Beckley and her 23 points to dominate the University of Waikato with a 22-point win, earning a place in Sunday’s final. Beckley had help from Sariah Penese (15 points) and Isabella Tait-Jones (10) in the big win, while Waikato was paced by 19 points from Mayako Taingahue (5 from downtown), 12 from Aria Cowley and Jasmine Mccleery with 9 points.
Box score: https://tinyurl.com/mr3neznc
Semi-final 2 – AUT 72, University of Otago 71
AUT held on for tight 72-71 win over the University of Otago, withstanding an amazing shooting effort from Otago’s Tyler Mitchell – who made 6 triples for her 22 points, including 3 in the last 8 minutes – to earn a place in Sunday’s final against the Victoria University of Wellington. Summer Jean Motufoua led AUT with 16 points, while Azure Anderson had 13, Trinity Paeu 12 and Luye Murphy 10. Otago also saw Millie Simpson and Sarah-Joy Aruwa crack double figures, with 13 and 10 respectively.
Box score: https://tinyurl.com/5n6dmw2x
Men’s Pool A
ROUND 3 – AUT 105, Massey University 85
AUT continued their unbeaten run on day two, beating Massey University by 20 points on the back of an incredible performance by Joshua Kooiman – who scored 38 points and hit 7 threes. Jayden Boucher was also hot with 24 points, while Jesse Manuel and Adam Singer each scored 11. Massey relied on Ronan Lethbridge and his 28 points (4 triples) while Zavier Pearn and David Jovanovic each chipped in 11.
Box Score: https://tinyurl.com/4ehy7uw3
ROUND 3 – Lincoln University Men 76, University of Otago 72
Lincoln University squeezed out a tight 76-72 win over the University of Otago to pick up their second win, moving them into 2nd of the table. Lincoln had 6 players score in double figures, led by Phoenix Sorensen’s 18, Jarred Burnett and Corban Mason with 13 apiece and Pita Maxwell-Topia, Flynn Mcguinness and Pafe Momoisea each chipping in 10 points. Robert Coman led all scores with 20 for Otago, while Michael Ruske tallied 15 and Matthew Pyper earned 13.
Box Score: https://tinyurl.com/5938m35y
Men’s Pool A standings – Day Two
| POS | TEAM | P | W | L | FOR | AGST | GD | PTS |
| 1 | AUT | 3 | 3 | 0 | 269 | 233 | 36 | 6 |
| 2 | Lincoln University Men | 3 | 2 | 1 | 222 | 219 | 3 | 5 |
| 3 | University of Otago | 3 | 1 | 2 | 238 | 210 | 28 | 4 |
| 4 | Massey University | 3 | 0 | 3 | 202 | 269 | -67 | 3 |
Men’s Pool B
ROUND 3 – University of Auckland 78, Victoria University of Wellington 60
The University of Auckland remained unbeaten with a 87-60 win over Victoria University of Wellington – in the process bumping them out of first place on the table. Reuben Fitzgerald was solid for Auckland with 18 points, while Daniel Powell and Reimar Cruz each tallied 11; Jeremy Mcintosh with 10. Vic Uni relied on Corban Laban-Palmer’s 22 points (including 8 free throws) with Trent Clarkson the only other player in double figures with 10; Jakob Carr with 9.
Box score: https://tinyurl.com/ycywcjpt
ROUND 3 – University of Canterbury 83, University of Waikato 81
The University of Canterbury earned a come-from-behind win over the University of Waikato, with Fletcher Arnold giving Canterbury the late lead with a huge triple. Tom Higgins led the way with 21 points, while Nash Biggs had 20 (including 4 triples), Arnold had 17, James Williamson 12 and Samuel Jenkins chipped in 10. Waikato was led by Daniel Dobson and his 24 points, Corban Paewai with 15, Beau Hippolite 14 and Te Maire Van Der Leden scored 13 points.
Box score: https://tinyurl.com/nhd9m9d5
Men’s Pool B standings – Day Two
| POS | TEAM | P | W | L | FOR | AGST | GD | PTS |
| 1 | University of Auckland | 3 | 3 | 0 | 256 | 221 | 35 | 6 |
| 2 | Victoria University of Wellington | 3 | 2 | 1 | 245 | 239 | 6 | 5 |
| 3 | University of Canterbury | 3 | 1 | 2 | 236 | 262 | -26 | 4 |
| 4 | University of Waikato | 3 | 0 | 3 | 250 | 265 | -15 | 3 |
Men’s Semi-finals
Semi-final 1 – Victoria University of Wellington 106, AUT 79
Victoria University used a dominant effort from Jakob Carr (34 points, 6 triples) to register a 27-point win over AUT in the first semi-final – in the process booking a spot in Sunday’s final. Vic Uni was supported by Reuben Natusch and his 21 points (4 from downtown), along with 17 from Corban Laban-Palmer and Jordan Lindbom with 13 points. AUT was led by Joshua Kooiman’s 27 points (6 from downtown), 14 points from Ryan Laumatia and Jesse Manuel with 12; they’ll play Lincoln University Men on Sunday to determine 3rd – 4th placing.
Box score: https://tinyurl.com/3m9z53jz
Semi-final 2 – University of Auckland 101, Lincoln University Men 82
The University of Auckland used strong outside shooting – thanks to 5 triples from Reimar Cruz and 4 from Reuben Fitzgerald – to power home a 101-82 win over Lincoln University. Fitzgerald led Auckland with 24 points while Daniel Powell tallied 18, Cruz 15 and Mikaere Watene with 14 points. Lincoln was led by Phoenix Sorensen and his 22 points, while Corban Mason had 21; Jarred Burnett scoring 17 points (including 4 triples) and Pafe Momoisea with 14. Auckland will now face Vic Uni in Sunday’s final, while Lincoln plays AUT to determine 3rd – 4th placing.
Box score: https://tinyurl.com/2z5j6by4
5-8 Place Semi-final 1 – University of Otago 94, University of Waikato 90
In the battle for places 5-8, the University of Otago edged the University of Waikato 94-90. Michael Ruske was one of 5 players in double figures with his 23 points, joining Matthew Pyper (19), Sam Senior (16, 4 triples), Hirini Edwards (15) and Robert Coman (13). Waikato was led by Corban Paewai with 21 points, Daniel Dobson scoring 20 points, Tristan Karaka 14 and 10 from Te Manawanui Tawhara-Crown. Otago next faces the University of Canterbury to determine who ends up in 5th and 6th places.
Box score: https://tinyurl.com/4exjuvsv
5-8 Place Semi-final 2 – University of Canterbury 88, Massey University 69
The University of Canterbury dominated Massey University in this one, registering a 19-point win to earn the right to face Otago in Sunday’s 5th – 6th place game. Canterbury saw an incredible individual effort by Fletcher Arnold, who scored a tournament-high 45 points (including 4 triples) to led his team to victory; Josh Lawson the only other player in double figures with 10. Massey was led by Jonty Vink’s 20 points in a losing effort, while David Jovanovic had 19 (4 from dwontown), Joshua Paine 12 and Ronan Lethbridge 11.
Box score: https://tinyurl.com/3xuky6cn
