Close But No Cigar

4 May 2013, Cowles Stadium

Recap written by Piet Van Hasselt

Photo courtesy of AJ van Hasselt

The Canterbury Wildcats (2-5) were willed on by a strong red and black crowd of 250+,but fell just short of the mark against the Auckland Lady Hawks (4-3) in a basket-for-basket finish, 58-54. Long-armed forward Penina Davidson came up with a steal under the Lady Hawks basket on the throw-in, after a successful free throw that proved the decisive moment in the game with 10 seconds remaining.

Auckland started the game dominating the offensive glass (20 offensive boards in total) creating second and third chances. The first quarter was relatively low scoring finishing at 11-all. Auckland took the advantage in the second, opening up a seven point advantage, 26-19, but a pair of Shea Crotty three-pointers kept the Wildcats in striking distance at the half, 31-26. Neither team could grasp control in the third, with a 12-8 quarter scoreline favouring  the Wildcats. Auckland did manage to force two consecutive eight second violations to keep Canterbury from taking the game. Three or four points separated the teams during the final stanza and the Wildcats held the lead on two occasions, with teenager Tessa Boagni scoring 10 points in the paint. Auckland playmaker Amanda Buck had two decisive drives in the closing minutes, setting up Te Oramae Soloman for a lay-in and then scoring one herself to open up a 55-50 lead with two minutes to play.

Schoolgirl Boagni showcased her impressive skills with 18 points, nine rebounds and a fantastic six blocks, four of which were on her counterpart Penina Davidson. Shea Crotty was 5/6 from the field, and 3/3 from three-point range for 13 points and five assists.

The Wildcats again surrendered 21 turnovers for 23 points, while Auckland only had 12 turnovers for 9 points.

The Wildcats complete this weekend's WBC tournament with a match against Southern rivals the Otago Goldrush on Sunday at 2pm, in what will largely be a game played for southern pride, the Wildcats now eliminated from top six contention.

Auckland Lady Hawks 58 (Adoniah Lewis 15, Te Oramae Solomon 11)
Canterbury Wildcats 54 (Tessa Boagni 18, Shea Crotty 13)
Halftime 31-26
Boxscore link here

Video of the game can be found here

ALSO Check out Wildcats photos from the weekend here courtesy of AJ van Hasselt