Kāhu Hold Down Fort In Rematch

Meeting for the second time in 6 days, the Mainland Pouākai were defeated by the Northern Kāhu 76-50 in Auckland.

POUĀKAI – 50
Reinoehl – 19 pts, 14 reb, 8/15 fg
Robati – 10 pts, 9 rbs, 3 blk
McGoldrick – 8 pts, 9 rbs, 3 ast

KĀHU – 76
Tupaea – 29 pts, 4 rbs, 5 3pt
Thomas – 24 pts, 8 rbs, 3 stl
Davidson – 12 pts, 12 rbs, 4 ast

25/10/24 BOX SCORE

The Pouākai came out the gate at a high-pace with Mikhaela Cann cutting down the middle of the floor for the opening points of the night on the feed from Esra McGoldrick.

A taut Mainland team defence resulted in several long possessions for the Kāhu, eating away at the shot clock time-after-time.

Tahlia Tupaea – the 2022 Tauihi MVP – got the Kāhu’s night started with an and-one opportunity on a drive with under 6 minutes left in the first quarter.

Hot off a league-record 37 point outing in her last match, Thomas began her night by muscling in her first 2 points under the basket.

Sharne Robati also picked up where she left off last week, launching and landing a top-of-the-key three with no hesitation.

There was a lid on the basket for both teams to begin the second quarter. A post-up possession from Thomas re-energised the Kāhu, pushing them ahead 14-13.

The Pouākai’s dry spell eventually ended thanks to Haliegh Reinoehl, who got one to fall with 4 minutes left in the period.

The ball found itself back in the hands of Reinoehl, who drove it right once again, drawing the foul and knocking down the shot through contact.

A rangy three from Tupaea pushed the game to a 9 point margin in favour of the Kāhu, giving her a game-high 17 points entering the halfway mark.

The Northern Kāhu led the Mainland Pouākai 31-23 at half-time.

As play resumed, Thomas’ savvy post play extended the gap to 14 points.

Driving and dishing, Cann and Reinoehl connected for two points after Reinoehl got her defender jumping on a pump fake.

Reinoehl’s big scoring night continued as she knocked down a quick-release jumper off an offensive rebound by McGoldrick.

In an athletic display, Chloe Forster forced a tie-ball after cleanly jumping a passing lane and getting tangled up with Cann.

Robati had an eye-opening weakside rejection on Tupaea, leading to a fastbreak which finished in free throws for Forbes.

A fading jump shot for McGoldrick kept the Pouākai scoreboard ticking over but the Kāhu were scoring with impressive pace

Ultimately, the Northern Kāhu evened the season series at 1 apiece with the Mainland Pouākai, winning the game 76-50.

The Pouākai face the Southern Hoiho at home this Sunday (2:00pm Rapid League, 3:00pm Tauihi) for some long weekend hoops.

Purchase tickets here!

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