A perfect shooting night from Alex Talma and a game winner from Zara Jillings highlight some strong performances from Harbour reps in American college basketball in the past few days.

In NCAA Division II action Alex Talma not only put together one of the best shooting performances ever seen at Biola University Eagles and in the PacWest Conference but quite possibly the most efficient ever produced by a Kiwi in college basketball.

The Eagles soared past Dominican University 75-66 but the story behind the score line was a perfect shooting night from the former Westlake and Harbour big man.

Alex made 10 from 10 from the floor and 3 from 3 from the foul line to end up with 23 points. It’s the third-highest number of field goals made without a miss since the PacWest Conference was formed in 1992. He also added 9 rebounds and a block for good measure.

Alex followed that up on Sunday with a team high 20 points (at a more sedate 9 from 18) but Biola were upset 72-58 by Holy Names University. Biola are 5-5 in conference play after previously winning three straight games.

Also in the PacWest Conference Denhym Brooke scored 8 points and added a couple of boards as Hawaii at Hilo outlasted neighbours Hawaii Pacific 74-67. Hilo, after losing their first two conference games, have improved to 5-3.

In Division I action Sam Waardenburg snared a career high 9 rebounds to accompany 6 points and 3 assists as Miami University Hurricanes collected their first Atlantic Coast Conference W courtesy of a 76-65 win against Wake Forest.

Jack Salt weathered some foul trouble eventually posting 7 points and 8 rebounds as Virginia University Cavaliers extended its unbeaten run this season to 15 games. The defending Atlantic Coast Conference champions won 63-43 at Clemson. Virginia are now ranked No 1 on the NCAA Coaches poll.

Akiene-Tera Reed continued her good form with a team high 19 points (6/11FG), 6 rebounds and a brace of steals as Virginia Commonwealth University, on the back of a dominant second half display, won 68-43 at Richmond. VCU, 3-0 in Atlantic-10 Conference play next face Fordham University with their trio of Kiwis – Mary Goulding, Kendell Heremaia and our own Zara Jillings.

Zara was the toast of the Bronx on Sunday as her And-1 play, with 5 seconds to play, gave Fordham University a 56-53 road win at Saint Louis. Zara finished with 6 points, 4 rebounds and a block.

Back in Division II play Tiffin University Dragons are in something of a slump right now – they went down 76-63 at Lake Erie at the weekend, a fifth straight loss. Georgia Perrott-Hunt produced 6 points and 4 rebounds for the Dragons whilst also adding a single steal, block and assist.

Charlotte Armstrong garnered a career best 4 rebounds to go with a pair of assists but Barry University Buccaneers were thumped 101-72 by Florida Southern. Barry are 2-5 in Sunshine State Conference play after a third straight defeat.

Four former Harbour and Westlake High representatives are currently in the midst of their Junior College seasons.

Freshman Keeley Tini is averaging 6.5 points and 5.4 rebounds for unbeaten Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragons. The Blue Dragons are 17-0 for the season overall, 8-0 in conference play, and ranked 4^thin the nation after a highly impressive opening to their campaign.

Olivia Bell is in her second season at North Dakota State College and posting good numbers for the Wildcats. Through 15 games Olivia is averaging 8.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks for the 11-4 Wildcats.

Joel Coffey is also in his sophomore year playing at the State College of Florida. Joel averages 2.4 points and 2.4 rebounds per game for the Manatees (10-9 for the season) who have won two of their first three Suncoast Conference games.

Thabo Manyere is in his first season at Moberly Area College. Moberly have won their opening two conference games and are 15-5 overall this campaign. The freshman forward is averaging 2 points and 3.4 rebounds for the Greyhounds.