Basketball: Impressive run from Kiwi Cougar

Kalani Purcell (right) is a certainty to be picked for the Tall Ferns side competing in an Olympic qualifying tournament. Photo / Alan Gibson

Tall Fern Kalani Purcell has been putting up impressive performances in the US.

Last week she recorded her eighth double-double of the season to help Brigham Young University Provo Cougars defeat Portland 78-66 in the West Coast Conference.

Purcell scored 11 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists and six steals, a performance that earned her a second consecutive Conference Player of the Week Award.

The performance drew praise from BYU coach Jeff Judkins: "Kalani had a great week, I think what she did proves what kind of player she is for this team and in this league. She is a tough match-up for anybody."

Judkins is also encouraging Purcell to take more shots as she puts up just nine per game. Purcell admits, "It is not my usual game but it is a goal to increase my numbers."

Purcell didn't rest on her laurels following the player of the week recognition. On Saturday she threatened a triple double as BYU prevailed 69-64 over Pepperdine. The former Waikato rep corralled a mammoth 24 rebounds, complemented by 16 points and 8 assists, a performance that will put her in line for another POTW award.

The Cougars have won 11 of their past 12 games and for Purcell the key has been "not to force things as a team, everyone just plays their role".

A certainty to be picked for the 2016 Tall Ferns team to compete in June at the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament in France, Purcell has more pressing business to attend to in the next few weeks. BYU have never won a regular season Conference championship but with the team boasting an 8-1 West Coast Conference record, and the 21-year-old in dominating form, 2016 might be the year.