Basketball New Zealand

Coach Pero Cameron (ImageSportNZ)

Pero Cameron has secured his first win as a Head Coach with the Wellington Saints winning 85-72 over the Christchurch Cougars, thanks to 33 points from Darryl Hudson.

Hudson proved tough scoring his points in a variety of ways (10/17 FG, 3/3 3pt, 10/17 FT), also grabbing four steals and dishing four assists.

Cougars got to within 2 with 4.56 left after a Paora Winitana three, but Saints countered with threes from Hudson and Troy McLean (13 pts). After a Winitana three Saints went on a 9-0 run, finishing the with game 15-4 run.

The first quarter was scrappy Cougars taking first advantage leading by six from a three point play by Jeremy Kench (12 pts) and a three by Winitana (20 pts). Saints meanwhile were struggling missing easy shots in the paint, missing free throws and committing seven turnovers. First quarter Cougars up 19-18.

The second quarter was also scrap with both teams exchanging baskets, But Winitana and Trent Wurtz (15 pts 5 steals) got into foul trouble each with three fouls.

Saints starting to gain momentum leading by as many as eleven. A Kench layup cut the lead the lead to nine, 44-35 score at halftime. Saints shot the ball at 72.7% from the field in the second quarter.

In the third quarter Saints extended their lead to 12, but the Cougars came roaring back with a 14-4 run cutting the lead to two. After a battle for the boards Nick Horvarth (14 pts and 16 reb) tipped in a basket at the buzzer giving the Saints a slim five point lead to end the quarter.

The final quarter started off tight, Mark Morrison (12 pts) scoring the first basket.
But Saints closed out the game with defence holding Cougars to 33% from the field in the quarter and scoring from Hudson who scored 15 of the Saints 23 points.

Saints now go 2-0 but will face their toughest game yet when they play Nelson Giants at the Trafalgar Centre on Saturday. The Giants clean sweeped the Saints last year, also knocking them out in the semi final.

Cougars meanwhile go 1-1 and will travel down south to play the OceanaGold Nuggets on Saturday.

Thursday, March 11

At Cowles Stadium, Christchurch

Chrischurch Cougars 72 (Paora Winitana 20, Trent Wurtz 15, Jeremy Kench 12, Mark Morrison 12) Wellington Saints 85 (Darryl Hudson 33, Nick Horvarth 14, Troy McLean 13) Final

Referees – Gavin Zimmerman, Raewyn Willocks, Ralene Forde
1Q: 19-18
HT: 35-44 (16-26)
3Q: 57-62 (22-18)
FT: 72-85 (15-23)
Cougars v Saints Boxscore (24 KB html)