In our latest March Madness wrap, we have further updates on the Kiwis involved in the end of season major tournaments in the United States – with just a trio of Kiwi athletes left in play.
The Men’s and Women’s NJCAA (Junior College) National Championship Tournaments have recently gotten underway, with just one New Zealander left fighting in this competition – Pania Davis.
As mentioned previously, Charlotte Whittaker (Colorado University) and Ben Gold (Marquette University) are also through to the Sweet Sixteen of their respective NCAA Division I National Championship Tournaments.
Sadly, our Kiwi athletes involved in the other major post season tournaments has bowed out of their respective competitions.
NCAA Division I Men’s NCAA National Championship Tournament
Who’s In:
Ben Gold and Marquette University advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2013 with an 81-77 victory over Colorado University. Marquette will meet North Carolina State University in the round of sixteen, tipping off tomorrow morning (NZ time).
NCAA Division I Women’s NCAA National Championship
Who’s In:
Charlotte Whittaker and the Colorado University Buffaloes disposed of Drake University (86-72) in a first round encounter, before moving on to beat Kansas State University 63-50 in the second round to book a place in the Sweet Sixteen for the second season running. Colorado will now meet no.1 seeded Iowa University and the prodigious Caitlin Clark – NCAA basketball’s all-time leading scorer – on Sunday 31 March (NZ time).
Division I Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament (BIT)
Who’s Out:
The season has ended for Tara Manumaleuga and Texas Christian University in the second round, as they were beaten 68-61 by Mississippi State University. Manumaleuga scored a season-high 10 points in her final collegiate game. The 2018 Junior Tall Fern finishes her NCAA career with 31 starts in 111 appearances, played her first two seasons for Arizona Wildcats before transferring to TCU.
Women’s (NJCAA) Junior College National Championship
Who’s In:
Benefitting from an opening round bye, Pania Davis and New Mexico College Thunderbirds, the 8th seed at the tournament, advanced with a solid 74-61 victory against Trinity Valley College. The 2022 Tall Fern scored a game high 20 points, shooting 9 from 17 from the field and pulling down 5 rebounds. The Thunderbirds next take on Hutchinson Community College tomorrow morning (NZ time) in the quarterfinals.
Who’s Out:
Dodge City College Conquistadors, with their trio of Kiwis Layla-J Cameron, Shorna Preston and Jyordanna Davey, advanced to the second round with a 75-57 victory over East Georgia State College with Cameron scoring 15 points for the Conquistadors. Moving onto the second round, the Conquistadors fell 68-69 today to no.2 ranked Wabash Valley College, thus ended their time in this competition.
Waiata Jennings and Collin College Cougars, the overall 4th seed, faced Eastern Arizona in the second round after also receiving a bye in the opening round – falling 60-61 despite a standout performance from Jennings – 24 points (9-17 shooting), 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Earlier in the week, the Rotorua guard was deservedly named the 2024 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Two-Year College Player of the Year.
Men’s (NJCAA) Junior College National Championship
Who’s Out:
Sophomore Finn Lally, the only New Zealand representative at the Men’s National Tournament, saw his Trinidad State College Trojans team heavily beaten by Odessa College 81-52 in the opening round.
