Basketball New Zealand

The Waikato Pistons have emphatically dispatched the Taranaki Dynamos 94-60 at TSB Stadium in New Plymouth while the Bartercard Christchurch Cougars beat the 0800 Easy LPG Hawks 83-74 at the Pettigrew Green Arena in NZCT National Basketball League action tonight.

In New Plymouth, Waikato led by only one at quarter-time, 24-23, as Taranaki landed four three-pointers to stay in touch with the league’s premier team. A dominant 30-12 second quarter by Waikato helped them open up a 54-35 halftime advantage, with Adam Ballinger leading the way with 17 first half points.
The second half was more of the same, as the only question was how big the Waikato lead would balloon out to. Waikato coach Dean Vickerman had the luxury of using his bench extensively, and the result was 11 players playing at least 10 mins. Vickerman could also be happy with his team’s defence, limiting Taranaki to 37 points in the final three quarters.
All 12 Waikato players scored, with Ballinger top scoring with 22, while Justin Bailey and Puke Lenden added 11 apiece, and Ray Cameron contributed 10. Alex Pledger compiled a handy eight points and nine rebounds, including some nice mid-range jumpers.
Taranaki were led by 16 from Eric Vierneisel, 14 from Aaron Bailey-Nowell, and 13 from Phillip Gilbert. One of the few positives on an otherwise dismal night for the home team was the energy provided by youngsters Eli Paurini and Tim Cleaver.

In Napier, Paora Winitana and Paul Henare have had a victorious home coming as their Cougars team rebounded from the home defeat to the Saints last weekend. The win means the Cougars maintain pace with the Giants, Pistons and Saints. For the Hawks, the loss takes their losing streak to five and leaves the door slightly ajar for the Jets to make a play for sixth spot and a place in the play-offs.

The Cougars took the lead 22-16 after the first quarter after the lead changed five times and was tied up on three occasions. The second quarter was tighter (23-21 Cougars) but Andrew Gardiner’s team took an eight point, 45-37 lead at half time. A strong quarter allowed the Cougars to open up a 13 point gap by the end of the third. Though the Hawks pulled the score back the Cougars dominated the start of the fourth to have the lead out to 20 at one point. A late Hawks rally reduced the final gap to nine points, though fittingly Tim Behrendorff had the final say with a slam dunk to make the score 83-74.

Tim Behrendorff proved to hard to handle for the Hawks and dominated inside and on the scoreboard taking a game high 27 points and eight rebounds. Gerard Bowden chimed in with 18 for the Cougars whilst Paora Winitana logged 16 on rims he knows all to well. The Hawks again failed to uncover a true scoring threat with Ben Hill top scoring with only 16. Chris Daniel managed 15 and then came import Chuck Bailey with 10.

Round 11 concludes with Giants hosting the Saints in Nelson tomorrow night, the winner enjoying the spoils of top spot for the week and the Shallcrass Cup. Tip Off 7pm.

Friday, May 22

At TSB Stadium, New Plymouth

Devon Dynamos Taranaki 60 (Eric Vierneisel 16, Aaron Bailey-Nowell 14, Phillip Gilbert 13) v Waikato Pistons 94 (Adam Ballinger 22, Justin Bailey 11, Puke Lenden 11), Final

Referees – Dallas Pickering, Colin Dowling, Tony Eldershaw
1Q: 23-24
HT: 35-54 (12-30)
3Q: 46-75 (11-21)
FT: 60-94 (14-19)

Dynamos v Pistons Boxscore (html 22KB)

At Pettigrew Green Arena, Taradale

0800 Easy LPG Bay Hawks 74 (Ben Hill 16, Chris Daniel 15, Chuck Bailey 10) v Bartercard Christchurch Cougars 83 (Tim Behrendorff 27, Gerard Bowden 18, Paora Winitana 16), Final

Referees – Andy Thackray, Apai Apai, Wayne Start
1Q: 16-22
HT: 37-45 (21-23)
3Q: 55-68 (18-23)
FT: 74-83 (21-15)

Hawks v Cougars Boxscore (html 21KB)