Saints Make It Interesting
Tagged in: CBL, Competitions
The Wellington Saints just made the Conference Basketball League’s Central Conference a whole lot more interesting.
With back-to-back wins over the Taranaki Panthers last week, the Saints took the Conference lead for the first time this season, leaving three teams to battle for two places at the CBL Nationals with one round remaining in the regular season.
Jordan Mills had 33 points, including six triples, as the Saints picked up a 96-65 bonus-point win on Saturday, then Arthur Trousdell stepped up with 26 points and 15 rebounds and Hugh Quinlivan 23 points in a 78-67 win on Sunday against Taranaki, who were missing leading contributor Aaron Nowell.
The round eight results saw the Saints move past the Turanga Health Rising Suns and Wellington
, now holding a one point lead. The Saints have 15 points, Rising Suns 14 and Wellington 13 points.
Just which two teams qualify for the CBL Nationals from the Central will be decided in the Capital this weekend, with the Saints facing a double-header against the Rising Suns and Wellington hosting two games against the Panthers.
The Saints took control of game one with a 28-12 second quarter, leading by 17 points at halftime, before finishing the game off with a 30-19 fourth period.
Quinlivan scored 17 points and pulled down six rebounds and Trousdell 15 points and eight boards for the Saints, who outrebounded Taranaki 49-39, while Todd Fisher led the Panthers with 18 points.
Fisher again provided the bulk of the offence for Taranaki in game two, ending with 24 points and 11 boards, while Eli Paurini had 15 points and nine rebounds and Che Yandle 10 points and eight rebounds. Taranaki were out of the game after falling behind by 16 points at halftime.
CBL Central Conference - Round Eight
Saturday, August 9
Wellington Saints 96 (Jordan Mills 33, Hugh Quinlivan 17, Arthur Trousdell 15) Taranaki Panthers 65 (Todd Fisher 18, Andrew Green 16, Josh Paurini 10)
Sunday, August 10
Wellington Saints 78 (Arthur Trousdell 26, Hugh Quinlivan 23, Matt Te Huna 11) Taranaki Panthers 67 (Todd Fisher 24, Eli Paurini 15, Che Yandle 10, Josh Paurini 10)
