NORTHERN KAHU have swooped to victory in the Tauihi Basketball Aoetearoa Round 2 clash last night, rising to outright top spot with a seven-point win win over Mainland Pouakai. In a tale of two halves, Pouakai lead throughout the early up until the final few minutes of the opening half, when Kahu took control. Once the visitors did so, they did not surrender the lead, and held their nerve as the floodgates opened up after half-time to win, 76-69 at the Trafalgar Centre.

MAINLAND POUAKAI 19 | 6 | 22 | 22 (69)
NORTHERN KAHU 12 | 17 | 21 | 26 (76)

Coming into the match unbeaten from two games, Northern Kahu was ahead of Mainland Pouakai (1-1) but having to head to the enemy’s home court. The Pouakai burst out of the blocks and piled on 19 points to 12 in the opening term to hold a strong seven-point quarter time lead. In response, Kahu had a massive second term, adding 17 points to six to retake the lead, 29-25 by the main break. Trinity Baptiste was a busy shooter in the first term, but the Kahu did much better both offensively and particularly defensively in the second quarter. It was no surprise that shooting was key, with the Pouakai not able to replicate their 50 per cent field goal percentage.

The third term was a shootout compared to the first two quarters, as the teams combined for 43 points, going the way of Pouakai (22-21). In front of their home fans, Mainland continued to press and had cut the deficit to just three at the final break, setting up a huge final term. Enter Tahlia Tupaea. The WNBL-experienced basketballer stepped up early in the second half and went right to the final buzzer, leading the Kahu to put on 26 points to 22 and extend the final margin out to seven.

Both sides ended up shooting at 43 per cent from the field, with the Pouakai better inside the arc (52 to 45 per cent), while Kahu stepped up from beyond the arc (37 to 29 per cent). Pouakai had more rebounds (40-32) and assists (16-12), while Kahau had far less turnovers (12-21) and added more points from turnovers (17-14). The visitors also managed more steals (9-7) and blocks (5-2).

Tupaea was the star of the show, putting up 24 points (50 per cent efficiency) and three rebounds, while Micaela Cocks (15 points, five rebounds) also stepped up. Marte Grays (15 points, three rebounds and three steals) was busy off the bench in 22 minutes, while Krystal Leger-Walker (seven points, eight assists and five rebounds) contributed a bit of everything. Baptiste produced a game-high 28 points, sizzling with 11 of 12 from the arc, as well as four rebounds and three steals. Baptiste and Erin Whalen (20 points, six rebounds and four assists) were the two lone scorers, hitting double-figure points.

Mainland Pouakai take on Tokomanawa Queens on Tuesday, July 12, while Northern Kahu lock horns with the Whai the day after.