Giants, Saints Get Wins
Tagged in: NBL
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The defending champion CPS Nelson Giants thwarted the Marley Canterbury Rams return to their traditional home, with a 83-77 round one Dominion Finance NBL win in Christchurch on Saturday night.
Six players scored in double-figures for the Giants, led by 19 points from American forward Michael Harrison, who added 11 rebounds and four blocks as Canterbury basketball returned to Cowles Stadium.
Fellow American Jamil Terrell (12 points and 11 rebounds) and Austrlian-born Rowan Gray (11 points and 10 rebounds) also posted double-doubles for the Giants, while NZ Breakers returnees Phill Jones (13 points and four assists) and Chris Daniel (15 points, seven rebounds and three steals) had influences in the season-opening win.
Point guard Jeremy Kench scored a game-high 20 points, to go with six rebounds, three assists and four steals, but could not pull the Rams back from a 12-point first quarter, trailing by nine.
A 26-point second period got them within seven points at the half, 45-38, but could not close the gap more.
American Joe Harrell, who arrived in Christchurch on Friday, made an impressive debut for the Rams with 16 points, seven rebounds and four steals.
In Auckland, the Century City Wellington Saints withstood a second half comeback from the Youthtown Stars to split their City of Sails double-header with an 85-81 win at ASB Stadium.
American swingman Marquis Webb scored a game-high 27 points on 12-of-20 shooting as the Saints held on for a four-point win after leading by 12 at halftime.
Casey Frank led the Stars with 21 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, while former league MVP Adrian Majstrovich had 16 points and nine boards. Wellington’s Nick Horvath put up 16 points and six rebounds.
The Giants travel to Dunedin tomorrow, facing the Cartridge World Otago Nuggets to close out the NBL’s first round.
CPS Nelson Giants 83 (Michael Harrison 19, Chris Daniel 15, Phill Jones 13, Michael Fitchett 13, Jamil Terrell 12, Rowan Gray 11) Marley Canterbury Rams 77 (Jeremy Kench 20, Joe Harrell 16, Luke Ruscoe 11)
Rams vs Giants Box Score (21KB html)
Century City Wellington Saints 85 (Marquis Webb 27, Nick Horvath 16, Luke Martin 13, Troy McLean 11) Youthtown Auckland Stars 81 (Casey Frank 21, Adrian Majstrovich 16, Reece Cassidy 13, Larry Bratcher 13)
Stars vs Saints Box Score (21KB html)
