Basketball New Zealand

Warning: file_exists() [function.file-exists]: open_basedir restriction in effect. File(/var/www/vhosts/basketball.org.nz/httpdocs/resources/uploads/2008/03/crowe-web.thumbnail.jpg) is not within the allowed path(s): (/home/bbnz/:/tmp:/usr/local/lib/php/) in /home/bbnz/domains/tallblacks.org.nz/public_html/wp-includes/post.php on line 3943

Pistons point guard Jason Crowe recorded a triple-double with 25 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists (Photosport)

Waikato Pistons point guard Jason Crowe produced a rare triple-double in the Dominion Finance NBL on Saturday night.

Crowe – who set a new NBL record with 16 assists in round two – recorded double-figures in the three categories with 25 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists as he guided the Pistons to a 96-72 rout of Devon Dynamos Taranaki at Hamilton City Stadium.

Crowe and fellow American import Brian Wethers, who finished with a game-high 36 points, took over in the second half as Waikato remained the only team without a loss after three rounds of the NBL.

Crowe shot 8-of-16 from the field, including a scorching 5-of-7 from three-point distance, and had four steals while Wethers, who scored 21 points in the third and fourth periods, shot 14-of-22 from the field, even after sitting out much of the second quarter with three fouls.

Taranaki overcame a double-digit first half deficit to take a brief one-point lead in the third period before the home team snapped back into action and were able to get their development players into the game in the final minutes of a 33-19 fourth quarter.

Puke Lenden had 17 points and Tall Black captain Pero Cameron eight points and six rebounds for Waikato, while American shooting guard Keith Salscheider top-scored for Taranaki with 19 points, Tony Rampton posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 boards, and Link Abrams added 16.

The Pistons shot 56 percent from the field and 47 percent on threes as a team, while the Dynamos struggled for the second straight game, shooting in the teens on three-pointers with just 13 percent.

Waikato improved to 2-0 while Taranaki dropped to 1-2.

A second half offensive explosion propelled the Easy LPG Bay Hawks to a 101-90 win over the Manawatu OzJets at Arena Manawatu in Palmerston North.

After trailing 38-42 at halftime, the League favourites found some rhythm, scoring 63 points in the second half by winning the third period 33-28 and the fourth 30-20, rejecting the home-town OzJets upset bid.

New American import Kevin Smith scored 19 of his 30 points in the second half, adding six rebounds, to lead the Hawks, while Manawatu point guard Kantrail Horton had 23 of Manawatu’s 42 points at halftime, finishing with a game-high 35 but was held to just five in the last quarter.

Two nights after the Appliance Shed Harbour Heat ruined his 200th NBL game in a 27-point humbling, Paul Henare had 18 points and seven assists to guide the comeback.

Paora Winitana had 16 points and three steals, Callum Baynes 13 and eight rebounds and Kareem Johnson 10 points and three steals. Forward Miles Pearce pulled down 11 boards for the Jets.

The Hawks improved to 1-1 with the win, while the OzJets fell to 0-2 at home.

At Hamilton City Stadium, Hamilton
Waikato Pistons 96 (Brian Wethers 36, Jason Crowe 25, Puke Lenden 17) Devon Dynamos Taranaki 72 (Keith Salscheider 19, Tony Rampton 16, Link Abrams 16). HT: 43-36
Pistons vs Dynamos Box Score (21KB html)

At Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North
Easy LPG Bay Hawks 101 (Kevin Smith 30, Paul Henare 18, Paora Winitana 16, Callum Baynes 13, Kareem Johnson 10) Manawatu OzJets 90 (Kantrail Horton 35, Keith Davis 15, Kaine Hokianga 14, Stacey Lambert 11). HT: 38-42
OzJets vs Hawks Box Score (21KB html)