POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Casyn Buchman
After four days of action at Auckland's Eventfinda Stadium, the 2023 Women's D League and Men's U23 National Champions have been crowned - with both the Auckland Dream and Taranaki teams claiming back-to-back titles. Dream beat Harbour Breeze 88-73 to win the D League title, while Taranaki defeated Porirua 110-101 to claim the U23 Men's championship.
D League Final: Auckland Dream 88, Harbour Breeze 73
Auckland Dream won the City of Sails derby 88-73, and in so doing defended the D League title they won in 2022. The Dream held off a fourth quarter Breeze revival; their North Shore rivals reducing a 14-point three quarter time deficit to four points, before the standout duo of Casyn Buchman (175-G-1992, college: Washburn) and Tournament MVP Trinity Paeu (183-C) closed out the contest. American guard Buchman made 5 from 11 three-point attempts on her way to a game-high 30 points, while Paeu was a force inside - adding 10 rebounds to her 23 points. The Dream backcourt duo of Savannah Cook and Summer Jean Motufoua chipped in with 15 and 9 respectively. New Zealand U16 international Bailey Flavell had 26 points and 4 steals for the Breeze, while Elianna Tuaiti and Riana Rangi-Brown (G) scored a dozen apiece and skipper Milomilo Nanai had 9 points and 9 rebounds. A pair of deep threes from Cook helped Dream to an early 16-5 lead. Replies came from Flavell and Tuaiti, although a triple from Buchman and a mid-range two from Coola Baudry helped to give Dream a 25-15 quarter-time lead. Cook landed her third three and Motofua her first - the Dream leading 33-19. Flavell kept the score rolling for Breeze, although Buchman was doing likewise for Dream with their lead 39-27. Amy Pateman reduced the Breeze deficit to single figures; Paeu soon adjusting that with back to back inside scores. Thirteen points apiece from Cook and Buchman had Dream 52-36 ahead at half-time. Nanai opened the second half scoring, before Buchman made it four from six from three point territory. Flavell took her score into the twenties, Buchman followed soon after, Dream with a 71-57 lead with ten minutes to play. Rangi-Brown made the first score of the final period and when she and Tuaiti made successive scores, the Breeze deficit was down to eight points with seven minutes to play. Rebecca Moors made it a four-point but Buchman's quality shot making eased the lead back to nine - and when Paeu nailed an elbow two the nerves on the Dream bench were eased. Buchman made her fifth three of the night and the Dream's repeat was made a reality.
Courtesy of: nz.basketball
Tags : CASYN BUCHMAN, AUCKLAND DREAM, NEW ZEALAND BASKETBALL
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