Basketball New Zealand

Conference Basketball League Finals

Facing a win or be done situation, the North Otago Penguins found a way to get it done.

Behind a game-high 32 points from American point guard Dalun Smith and 21 points from centre Calum MacLeod, the Penguins defeated the previously unbeaten Wellington Saints 91-82 on Friday to finish top of section B and qualify for the semifinals at the Conference Basketball League Finals in Wellington.

The Penguins, on hiatus since 2000, have never missed the Final Four in five trips to the CBL Finals and with that win now have a shot at a fourth championship.

Ahead of North Otago tonight will be the three-time defending champion Actrix Networks Waikato Titans, who suffered their first ever loss at the CBL Finals with a 107-88 loss to Wellington, who bounded into a semifinal match-up with the cross-town Saints undefeated at 3-0 and on top of section A.

Smith was the Penguins catalyst, stepping up with a three or drive to the bucket whenever the Saints threatened their lead.

North Otago led by 13 points early in the fourth quarter but after lock-down defender Markham Brown suffered a dislocated shoulder after a collision with Tim Gillan, Saints were able to immediately close with nine points and then eventually within six.

After two Jordan Mills free throws and a Matt Te Huna fastbreak lay-up got the Saints within three, 85-82, Andrew Parke laid-in off a Ryan Mitchell feed, then Matt Gillan and Smith scored clutch baskets to seal the win.

On the adjacent court, Wellington shut down the Titans defensively, leading by 12 points at halftime, and as they extended the gap to 25 points after three periods, both teams cleared their benches.

Troy McLean led Wellington with 21 points and seven rebounds 27 minutes, while forward Earl Smith never relented, going for a game-high 38 points and seven boards for the Titans, who played without leading contributor Puke Lenden, out with a knee injury.

With new life after the Penguins controversial last-second loss to Auckland on Thursday night, the Foot Mechanics Western Bay Suns did their part to force a possible three-way tie in section B, delivering a 94-52 rout over Auckland.

Suns guard Whare Bidois had 28 points on 10-of-14 shooting, while Ike Smith provided 21 points for Western Bay, who jumped on Auckland from the tip, only allowing them seven points in the first quarter and going out by 20 points midway through the second.

Guard Karl Noyer produced the best individual performance with 40 points and five rebounds as the Harbour Heat Reserves avoided going winless in section play, beating the wildcard Turanga Health Rising Suns 87-76.

Noyer, a former Auckland Star, shot 14-of-21 from the field and 5-of-8 on three-point attempts, and Michael Dawson had 12 points and 12 rebounds. Damien Ekenasio posted a 18-point and 14-rebound double-double, while Reg Namana also recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Rising Suns.

CBL Finals

Southwest Stadium, Wellington

Section A

Harbour Heat Reserves 87 (Karl Noyer 40, Michael Dawson 12, Lydon Aoake 11) Turanga Health Rising Suns 76 (Robbie Wilson 18, Damien Ekenasio 18, Reg Namana 15, Leityn Swann 10)
Heat Reserves vs Rising Suns (20KB html)

Wellington 108 (Troy McLean 21, Dave Hopoi 13, Andrew Cassels 12, George Le’afa 10) Actrix Networks Waikato Titans 77 (Earl Smith 38, Danny Williams 11, Ray Cameron 11)
Wellington vs Titans Box Score (22KB html)

Team Records
Wellington 3-0
Titans 2-1
Heat Reserves 1-2
Rising Suns 0-3

Section B

Foot Mechanics Western Bay Suns 94 (Whare Bidois 28, Ike Smith 21, Eru Wills 14, Sasho Tasevski 12) Auckland 52 (Simon Mesritz 12, Josh Clark 11)
Suns vs Auckland Box Score (21KB html)

North Otago Penguins 91 (Dalun Smith 32, Calum MacLeod 21, Ian Cathcart 11) Wellington Saints 82 (Arthur Trousdell 25, Matt Te Huna 18, Jordan Mills 11)
Penguins vs Saints Box Score (21KB html)

Team Records
Penguins 2-1*
Saints 2-1
WB Suns 1-2**
Auckland 1-2

* Penguins finish first on head-to-head countback
** Suns finish third on head-to-head countback

Friday Night Schedule

Semifinals
6pm: Wellington vs Wellington Saints
8pm: North Otago Penguins vs Actrix Networks Waikato Titans

5th-8th Playoffs
6pm: Harbour Heat Reserves vs Auckland
8pm: Foot Mechanics Western Bay Suns vs Turanga Health Rising Suns