University still leads the Miles Toyota Men’s Premier League after beating Pioneer Pacers 96-89 in Cowles stadium on Saturday. In the Miles Toyota Women’s Premier League Lincoln University leads the table after thumping University 94-34.
Report collated and written by Bruce Martin with James Lissaman
Miles Toyota Men’s Premier League
University of Canterbury 96 Pioneer Pacers 89
In a game of fluctuating lead changes, Pioneer managed to hold the competition leader’s University to a 46-41 half-time lead after leading 24-23 at the first break.
Josh Petermann (22) orchestrated the second half challenge for University while former Canterbury Ram Brent Fisher continued his dominance on the boards, slotting 26 points and rebounding strongly. Newcomer Konrad Tota (22) added more valuable points as University slowly took control in the fourth quarter.
By three-quarter time University had its nose in front 65-64 and was not headed in the final quarter, winning 96-89.
Cam Costley led the Pacer’s efforts with his trademark 21 points with other handy contributions coming from Oli Davies (23), Nick Erwood (18) and, Max De Geest (16).
Lincoln University 84 Atami 74
Lincoln University leads the chasing pack to catch University with an 84-74 win over Atami. Lincoln University were keen for revenge after a huge fourth quarter comeback saw Atami win in the two teams’ first matchup.
Paul McFarlin was back playing for his old club and was a handful for the LU players tasked with guarding him, as his 20 point game helped Atami to a 35-42 lead at half time.
The pace of the game picked up in the second half, with the increased tempo suiting the LU men far more, Josiah Williams (21, 9 assists, 7 rebounds) expertly running thr LU team as they successfully hit 6/13 of their attempts from three, after only making 1/17 in the first half.
Young Atami big man Joel Jeffrey again proved that he belongs in the league, scoring 17 points, with Derek Albertsen and Zacc Dwan scoring 16 and 13 respectively. Lincoln University just had too much on the day, with Sam Smith (23), Ben Williams (14), Jayden Chan (11) and Ben Bowie (11, 14 rebounds) joining Josiah Williams in double-figures.
Checkers 84 Wolverines 70
Wolverines are in the danger zone for elimination, trailing the field but took the early advantage leading Checkers 20-14 at quarter-time and 36-33 by the turnaround.
Early in the third Checkers nudged ahead 45-43 and with the experienced veterans Pip Johnston (24) and Nat Connell (18) leading the charge. Checkers slowly edged away to a comfortable 84-70 victory. Canterbury Ram Taylor Britt’s every move was tightly restrained by the Checkers defence, limiting him to 12 points while Stuart Erskine’s 17 and Andrew Kellaway’s 13 led the Wolverines efforts.
Miles Toyota Women’s Premier League
Lincoln University 94 University of Canterbury 34
Canterbury Wildcat Connie Poletti led Lincoln University to a comfortable 94-34 win over Canterbury University. LU found its grove late in the first quarter leading 25-8. With Poletti’s return (26p 12r 5a 5s),she was at her dominant best inside having her way with the UC defence which led to a big 47-12 half-time lead.
LU continued to pour it on the third quarter with a great team game sharing the ball aroun. Five LU players reach double figures: Lucy Brown (14p 7r); Caitlin Grice (14p 6r); Canterbury Wildcat Ajiah Pepe (11p); and Lincoln University student Emma Trolove (12p 9r). UC were led by long serving UC player Ashlee Rigter (14p) and Ex Buller high school student now UC student Nicole Stuart (11p)
Halswell 49 Pioneer Pacers 46
In a game of fluctuating fortunes Halswell edged Pioneer 49-46. Halswell lead the first quarter 12-6 while Pioneer stormed into a 26-18 half-time lead.
Laken Wairau (19) put Halswell back in front 35-33 by the third break. Tessa Burry (13) and Lauryn Hippolite (11) lead the Pioneer efforts as the lead changed hands several times in the fourth quarter, Halswell holding tight in the closing moments to win 49-46.
Minties 60 Wolverines 49
Minties moved into second place on the table with a comfortable 60-49 win over Wolverines. Sarah Mason (17) and Gabriela Edmondson 13 leading the Minties effort.
Minties led all the way, up 25-8 by the first break. Wildcat Tessa Stewart-Morrison (24) helped close the gap for Wolverines in the second to trail 23/26 but Minties piled on the pressure and by the turnaround was ahead 34-23. At the last break Minties were ahead 48-30 but Wolverines kept battling away, closing the margin to just 11 points and a 60-49 win for Minties.
Results were:
Miles Toyota Premier Men’s League
University of Canterbury 96 (Brent Fisher 26; Josh Petermann 22, 8 rebounds; Konrad Tota 22; Nathan Campbell 12, 8 rebounds) Pioneer Pacers 89 (Oli Davies 23; Cam Costley 21; Nick Erwood 18, 9 rebounds; Max De Geest 16). HT: 46-41
Lincoln University 84 (Sam Smith 25; Josiah Williams 21, 9A, 7R; Ben Williams 14; Ben Bowie 13, 14R; Jayden Chan 11) Atami 74 (Paul McFarlin 20; Joel Jeffrey 17; Derek Albertsen 14, Zacc Dwan 13). HT: Atami 42-35
Checkers 84 (Pip Johnston 24, 11 rebounds; Nat Connell 18, 9 rebounds; Joshua Lowe 17, 18 rebounds; Jordan Kauta 14) Wolverines 70 (Stuart Erskine 17; Andrew Kellaway 13, 13 rebounds; Taylor Britt 12; Mike Kinley 12). HT: Wolverines 36-33
Bye: Gators.
Premier Men’s League placings with games played in parenthesis: University of Canterbury 17 (9), Lincoln University 15 (10), Gators 14 (9), Checkers 14 (9), Pioneer 14 (10), Atami 13 (9), Wolverines 12 (10).
Miles Toyota Premier Women’s League
Lincoln University 94 (Connie Poletti 26, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals; Lucy Brown 14, 7R, Caitlin Grice 14, 6R, Emma Trolove 12, 9R, Aijah Pepe 11) University 34 (Ashlee Rigter 14, Nicole Stuart 11). HT: 47-12
Halswell 49 (Laken Wairau 19) Pioneer Pacers 46 (Tessa Burry 13; Lauryn Hippolite 11). HT: Pioneer 26-18
Minties 60 (Sarah Mason 17; Gabriela Edmondson 13; Jessica Ling 12) Wolverines 49 (Tessa Stewart-Morrison 24; Kendal Hastie 11). HT: 34-23
Bye: North Canterbury
Premier Women’s League placings with games played in parenthesis: Lincoln University 17 (9), Minties 16 (10), North Canterbury 15 (8), Pioneer 14 (9), Halswell 13 (10), University 11 (9), Wolverines 10 (9).
Men’s Under 23 Results:
Gators Green and Canterbury University share the lead in the Men’s U23 competition on 22 points while four teams, Atami, Lincoln University, Wolverines and Checkers are chasing the two remaining semi-final spots.
Gators Green (Matt Mischewski 28; Ben Carlile-Smith 26; Sam Lees 16; Connor McLaughlin 11; Jarred Burnett 10) Atami Spartans (Wiremu Waaka 19; Joel Jeffrey 14). HT: 40-39
Atami 80 (Andre Tamagushiki 27; Ecan Westwood 14; Connor Page 13; Alex Ross 11) Pioneer Pacers 53 (Isaiah McLeod 13,;Hamish Hobbs 10). HT: 53-36
Checkers 85 (Joe Cook-Green 16; Ruben Stanley 16; Ben Harris 14; Joshua Lowe 12) Wolverines 64 (Kyle Louis 18; Jacob Cromb 11; Ben Hussey 10). HT: 40-26
Lincoln University Bulls 79 (Ben Bowie 16; Josiah Williams 1;, Sam Smith 11; Jayden Chan 10) Pioneer-Cashmere 73 (Thomas Webley 20; Dylan Mahon 15; Finn Barclay 10). HT: 45-38
Bye: University.
Men’s U23 placings with games played in parenthesis: University 22 (11), Gators Green 22 (12), Atami 19 (12), Wolverines 18 (12), Lincoln Univ Bulls 18 (11), Checkers 18 (12), Pioneer-Cashmere 16 (11), Atami Spartans 14 (11), Pioneer Pacers 12 (11).
