AFTER a low-scoring win on the road the night before, Northern Kahu stepped up again to produce an impressive 19-point triumph over Takomanawa Queens in a Monday night clash in the Tauihi Basketball Aoetearoa. Playing in Franklin, the Kahu’s return home proved a fruitful one, bursting out of the blocks early to pile on 19 points to 11 in the opening term. It would set the tone for the match as Kahu won all four quarters and ended up posting a 19-point victory, 80-61 at Franklin Pool & Leisure Centre.

NORTHERN KAHU 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 (80)
TAKOMANAWA QUEENS 11 | 17 | 20 | 13 (61)

The two sides were coming off respective Round 1 wins in the Tauihi Basketball Aoetearoa competition with Takomanawa Queens and Northern Kahu getting up in four-point victories on Saturday and Sunday respectively. The Queens rolled the Whai in a higher-scoring clash, 82-78, while the Kahu took down Southern Hoiho in an inaccurate display of shooting. That all changed for the latter in last night’s contest, starting red-hot from the first tip-off and maintaining their advantage throughout the contest.

Though the game the night before had ebbs and flows, once the Kahu took control, they maintained it throughout the match. Takomanawa Queens actually had the better going early, getting out to a five-point lead at one stage, before Northern Kahu hit back to score 19 points to 11 and take an eight-point advantage into the first break. That lead grew throughout the game as Kahu won each quarter, albeit in tighter circumstances.

The next two terms saw the Kahu stretch the lead out to double-digits, only for the Queens to cut it back to as little as three points midway through the third term. Northern Kahu had all the answers, as they continued to press. Their efforts paid off, scoring 41 points to 37 over the two middle quarters to grow the lead out to 12 by the final break. They did not take the foot off the pedal in the final stanza, scoring 20 points to 13 to run out 80-61 victors.

Though inaccurate the night before, Kahu lifted their scoring accuracy to 43 per cent rom the field, including 46 per cent from inside the arc, and 36 per cent from outside of it. The Queens were not too far off from two-point range (43 per cent) but only drained four of 21 from beyond the arc, which caused some issues. The Kahu also got to the line for 25 free throws, securing 19 of them, while the Queens nailed 11 of 12 helping them with And-One chances. The statistics were all pretty tight, but went the way of the Kahu leading in rebounds (39-37), assists (16-15), steals (9-6) and blocks (3-2), whilst scoring more points in the paint (34-28) and having four less turnovers (10-14).

Micaela Cocks top-scored with 20 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals, with her fellow WNBL talent Tahlia Tupaea making 19 points – three of nine from long-range – six assists, three rebounds and three steals for the Kahu. Akiene-Tera Reed put up 16 points, five rebounds and two assists, while Krystal Leger-Walker chipped in with five points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals. For the Queens, Elin Gustavsson managed a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, as well as three steals and two assists. Florencia Chagas had the 15 points, five rebounds and four assists.

Northern Kahu take on Mainland Pouakai on Saturday, July 9 on the road, while Tokomanawa Queens will host Southern Hoiho the day after.