2013 Bartercard NBL Media Release: Nuggets American Antoine Tisby scored 25 points for the OceanaGold Nuggets, as they finally ended a ten year losing streak against the HBS Bank Hawks, to secure the 81-74 win.
It was a see-saw contest between the two sides, as the Hawks took an early ten point first quarter lead and an eleven point buffer at half time.
But the Nuggets stormed back into the contest, opening the third period with a 17-0 run, which was largely due to forward Beny Anthony and bench player Luke Aston who added seven quick points.
Despite only 22 minute played due to early foul trouble, Anthony would end the game with 18 points.
Hawks captain Paora Winitana came out firing to begin with, scoring 15 first half points, but the visitors managed to contain him in the second half, restricting the swing man to 19 for the game.
It was going to be a battle up front, and for the undersized Hawks, it was the difference of the ball game, as imports Darko Cohadarevic and Brian Greene struggled with foul trouble, neither playing over thirty minutes.
A lay in by Winitana, tied the ball game at 74 apiece with two minutes remaining, and it looked like the momentum had shifted to the home side.
But Greene would foul out in the next possession, and the Otago franchise would finish the game with a 7-0 run.
The experience from court general Mark Dickel was invaluable for the Nuggets, as he and Tisby would play heavy minutes to secure the victory.
In New Plymouth the Fico Finance Nelson Giants have erased a twenty point half time deficit to edge out The Good Home Taranaki Mountain Airs 91-90.
A game winner from Josh Pace (28 points) gave the visitors their third win on the trot and put them to the top of the table with the Wellington Saints.
Taranaki proved they will be no easy beats this season, but will be extremely gutted they let go of such a big lead.
Last night it was import Kenny Gabriel who fouled out in limited minutes, tonight it was Jack Leasure who fouled out in twenty two minutes, with eight points and nine assists.
The Giants looked they were going to break away once Leasure fouled out with seven minutes to go, but the home side kept within striking distance and nearly stole the victory when guard Brad Anderson hit a three to put them up 90-89.
But after Pace hit the game winner, Anderson missed his two pointer, giving the Airs their third straight defeat to begin the season.
Phill Jones was again outstanding for Nelson with 23 points, while Erron Maxey managed to score 14 second half points.
Guard Brooke Ruscoe who has been moved to the point guard this season had 13 points, and five steals which put the pressure on the Airs defensely as he would go to the line fourteen times.
Aaron Bailey-Nowell was the Airs top scorer with 18, Gabriel the next best with 17.
Round Three of the Bartercard National Basketball League concludes tomorrow when the Zerofees Southland Sharks play the Saints in Invercargill, and the James Blond Super City Rangers host their first home game of the season against the Nuggets who will be going for three in a row.
Saturday, April 27
At TSB Stadium, New Plymouth
The Good Home Taranaki Mountain Airs 90 (Aaron Bailey-Nowell 18, Kenny Gabriel 17, Link Abrams 14) Fico Finance Nelson Giants 91 (Josh Pace 28, Phill Jones 23, Erron Maxey 14), Final
Referees - Tim Brown, Sean Cronin, Kieran Udy
1Q: 27-16
HT: 50-30 (23-14)
3Q: 65-56 (15-26)
FT: 90-91 (25-35)
Live Stats
Airs v Giants Box Score (PDF)
At Pettigrew Green Arena, Taradale
HBS Bank Hawks 74 (Paora Winitana 19, Jarrod Kenny 16, Brian Greene 14) OceanaGold Nuggets 81 (Antoine Tisby 25, Beny Anthony 18, Akeem Wright 12), Final
1Q: 27-17
HT: 45-34 (18-17)
3Q: 55-61 (10-27)
FT: 74-81 (19-20)
Referees - Melony Wealleans, Apai Apai, Gareth Tehan