It was a thrilling finish to the National Tertiary Championships on Sunday, as a winner was found for both the men’s and women’s competitions.
Men’s Finals
Grand Final – Victoria University of Wellington 95, University of Auckland 90
Victoria University of Wellington earned a tight 95-90 win to claim the men’s championship for 2022. Reuben Natusch was the hero for Vic Uni with his 31 points (including 10 free throws), while Jakob Carr scored 26 points; Corban Laban-Palmer and Aston Inwood tallying 14 apiece. Auckland was paced by the trio of Reuben Fitzgerald (22 points), Daniel Powell (20) and 18 from Mikaere Watene. Terence Rudolf Abdon also scored 11.
Box score: https://tinyurl.com/324uwz4f
3rd/4th Placing – Lincoln University Men 81, AUT 68
In the battle for third and fourth place, Lincoln University Men came out on top with a 81-68 victoru over AUT. Lincoln’s win was spear-headed by Jarred Burnett, who scored 19 points – including 5 triples – while Corban Mason and Phoenix Sorensen tallied 16 points each. AUT was led by Joshua Kooiman and his 19 points, while Riley Bonar had 15, Ryan Laumatia scored 12 and Jesse Manuel and Adam Singer dropped 9 points apiece.
Box score: https://tinyurl.com/4rbu4zhx
5th/6th Placing – University of Canterbury 77, University of Otago 67
The University of Canterbury earned themselves a fifth place finish in the competition, with a 10-point win over southern rivals the University of Otago. James Williamson led Canterbury with his 19 points, while Tom Higgins scored 17, Fletcher Arnold 10 and Samuel Jenkins and Thomas Hughes with 9 points each. Otago was paced by Sam Senior’s 17 points (4 triples); Matthew Pyper scoring 12, Gabe Gallagher 11 and Michael Ruske with 10 points.
Box score: https://tinyurl.com/4e49rmzc
7th/8th Placing – University of Waikato 97, Massey University 90
The University of Waikato claimed seventh place with a 97-90 victory over Massey University. Daniel Dobson dropped 31 points (including 5 triples) to lead Waikato, Corban Paewai chipping in 20 and Te Mairevan der Leden scoring 14. For Massey, Ronan Lethbridge scored a game-high 33 points, hitting 6 shots from downtown. He was supported by David Jovanovic and Jonty Vink, who each tallied 18 points in the tough loss.
Box score: https://tinyurl.com/5n96nddt
Women’s Finals
Grand Final – AUT 74, Victoria University of Wellington 66
An avalanche of three pointers from the Victoria University of Wellington, wasn’t enough to defeat AUT as they fell 66-74 – AUT claiming the Women’s title thanks to an impressive 28 points from Azure Anderson, while Trinity Paeu tallied 17 and Mele Latu scored 13 points. Vic Uni was paced by Jacinta Beckley and her 22 points – including 5 of the team’s 13 triples – with support from Sariah Penese (11) and 10 each from Isabella Tait-Jones, Emilina Motu and Freya Newton.
Box score: https://tinyurl.com/5n79w9ks
3rd/4th Placing – University of Otago 92, University of Waikato 64
The University of Otago came away with a dominant 92-64 win over the University of Waikato to claim third place, this despite a classy performance from Waikato’s Kayla Manuirirangi who scored 24 points and buried 4 triples. Otago had 5 players score in double figures, led by Tyler Mitchell’s 21 points including 4 from downtown. Caitlin O’Connell scored 16, Pera Sparks 14, Sarah-Joy Aruwa 13 and Holly McCleery with 10 points. Abby Crane also scored 15 and Mayako Taingahue 10 for Waikato.
Box score: https://tinyurl.com/5f89z22s
5th / 6th Placing – University of Auckland 69, University of Canterbury 56
The University of Auckland defeated the University of Canterbury with a 69-56 score line, claiming a fifth place finish in the competition as a result. Raykesha-Line Burgess-Fiatau led all scores with 28 points for Auckland, while Casey Leyson had 9. Canterbury was aced by Emily Knight and her 15 points, while Te Rina Heta-Cooper and Riva Pitman tallied 10 apiece; Isabella Gibson with 9.
Box score: https://tinyurl.com/58bd2bb6
