Basketball New Zealand

Church College NZ have dealt national women’s champions Auckland a massive blow in their bid to defend the title.

In Womenís Basketball League action last weekend, the students upset their northern rivals 76-71, rallying from 19 points down at halftime. They turned the tide with a 20-8 third quarter and swept passed in the final term.

Mieke Elkington had 24 points for Church, while Kyler Parai hit three three-pointers among her 17 to spark the comeback.

Auckland are currently locked in a battle with Waikato for the second northern berth at the four-team playoffs early next month. They must now hope Waikato are also toppled by one of the conference’s lower ranked teams if they are to squeeze past for that last spot.

NZ Tall Fern Lisa Wallbutton had 26 points and Erica Hopkinson 18 for the Aucks, who were missing international centre Jess McCormack.

In the three-team central conference, Hutt Valley emerged unbeaten from the first of three tournaments, beating Wellington 90-64 in the key match-up. Mariana Cowan led a balanced offence with 19 points and Hutt took control of the encounter with a 33-19 second quarter.

WBL North
Friday, May 11
CCNZ 76 (Mieke Elkington 24, Kyler Parai 17, Donna Fermanis 12) Auckland 71 (Lisa Wallbutton 26, Eric Hopkinson 18, Chelsea Terei 10)

Saturday, May 12
Curves Harbour Breeze 106 (Noni Wharemate 32, Karlene Kingi 16, Jody Tini 16, Kezia Kelly 12, Kate Lacey 13, Anna Lacey 10) Sacred Heart 50 (Ashleigh Cargo 16, S Gibbons 11)

Waikato 96 (Arielle Parai 32, Aimee Firmin 19, Natasha Lenden 15, Leanne Walker 13) Massey Fever 66 (Emma Gillespie 11, Stevee-Rose Theyers 10)

Sunday, May 13
Counties Manukau 73 (Neeley Davies 18, R Felise 14, Kim Barnes 10, Lorelei Nathan 10) Massey Fever 59 (Stevee-Rose Theyers 15, Chevannah Paalvast 14, Emma Gillespie 10)

WBL Central
Friday, May 11
Hutt Valley 90 (Mariana Cowan 19, Ava Filipo 18, Soraya Umaga 12, Sonya Milford 12) Wellington Swish 64 (Nola Wainohu 20, Sezen Mercan 16, Antoinette Wijnstok 11)

Saturday, May 12
Wellington Swish 102 (Shiana Harris 23, Nola Wainohu 21, Melissa Letoa 20, Kate Hockings 15) New Plymouth 53 (Molly McCallum 19, Zoe Kensington 11)

Hutt Valley 78 (Sonya Milford 15, Soraya Umaga 12, Ava Filipo 11) New Plymouth 57 (Bella McCallum 13, Molly McCallum 13, Zoe Kensington 12)