Saints March Past Rams
Tagged in: NBL
Warning: file_exists() [function.file-exists]: open_basedir restriction in effect. File(/var/www/vhosts/basketball.org.nz/httpdocs/resources/uploads/2008/03/nickhorvath-web.thumbnail.jpg) is not within the allowed path(s): (/home/bbnz/:/tmp:/usr/local/lib/php/) in /home/bbnz/domains/tallblacks.org.nz/public_html/wp-includes/post.php on line 3943
Centre Nick Horvath showed how much the Century City Wellington Saints will miss him in a 92-80 win over the Marley Canterbury Rams on Sunday afternoon.
Horvath, in his final game before taking a month off to wed his former New Zealand hockey international fiancé Sheree Phillips, finished with 28 points and 13 rebounds, while fellow American Marquis Webb had 22 points as the Saints improve to 3-2 to end round four of the Dominion Finance NBL.
“We’re going to see if we can get him over to Vegas for one of those 10-minute drive-through weddings and get him right back,” Saints coach Doug Marty joked.
“But I think he might have other plans.”
The Duke alum – who will be replaced by American Kevin Owens – dominated the first half, with 21 points and seven boards, as Wellington led by 11 points after the midway point as TSB Bank Arena.
Saints struggled to find rhythm in the face of Canterbury’s press defence with regular point guard Luke Martin starting from the bench and only playing 14 minutes, with Randall Bishop, Webb and Troy McLean also seeing time at the point.
“It was point guard by committee today and in the guys’ favour it’s hard to do,” Marty said.
“It’s hard to find a rhythm when you’re switching point guards. We were really never in sync from the point guard spot but individually they all contributed in some big spots.
“I give a lot of credit to Canterbury. They never gave up and I thought they’re defensive changes were tough for us. We didn’t adjust to their half-court press and their intensity.”
Webb extended lead to nine points early in the fourth with a three but as shots stopped falling for the home side, the Rams crawled back in the game, a Gerard Bowden three leveling the scores at 76-76 with 4:39 to play.
Spurred by a crowd of 2000, Saints out-scored the Rams 16-4 from that point, back-to-back threes from Martin and McLean giving them breathing space and making free-throws to close it out.
The Saints jumped on the Rams early, running out to a 14-2 lead in the opening three minutes after back-to-back threes from Webb. Canterbury were able to close within two points immediately after the first resumption but the Saints then went on an 11-2 run to open up a nine-point lead, which grew to 11 at halftime.
Along with his 22 points, Webb had seven rebounds, six assists and two steals, while McLean and Terrence Lewis had 13 points each.
Point guard Jeremy Kench top-scored for the Canterbury with 18, but had eight turnovers, while American Joey Harrell had a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Bowden 13 points.
Round four of the NBL was punctuated by two upsets, Devon Dynamos Taranaki going into Pettigrew Green Arena and beating the Easy LPG Bay Hawks 99-96, overcoming a six-point three-quarter time deficit, and the Manawatu OzJets recording their first win, an 87-78 result ending a three-game losing streak.
The Waikato Pistons remained undefeated with a 99-61 rout of the Jets on Thursday night, Brian Wethers scoring 22 points and Jason Crowe finishing with 13 points and 12 assists, but the Youthtown Auckland Stars continue to lead the league after winning their fourth straight on Thursday, 92-82 over a feisty Cartridge World Otago Nuggets.
Dominion Finance NBL Round Four
Thursday, March 20
At Pettigrew Green Arena, Taradale
Devon Dynamos Taranaki 99 (Keith Salscheider 29, Link Abrams 21, Aaron Nowell 15, Tony Rampton 12, Ben Jeffrey 12) Easy LPG Bay Hawks 96 (Paora Winitana 24, Kareem Johnson 22, Paul Henare 16, Kevin Smith 15, Callum Baynes 10). HT: 41-49
At Hamilton City Stadium, Hamilton
Waikato Pistons 99 (Brian Wethers 22, Jason Crowe 13, Mike Homik 13, Jamie Barnett 12, Ike Smith 11, Ray Cameron 10, Puke Lenden 10) Manawatu OzJets 61 (Keith Davis 15, James Paringatai 10). HT: 53-24
At ASB Stadium, Auckland
Youthtown Auckland Stars 92 (Adrian Majstrovich 25, Casey Frank 23, Dylan Perfect-Tait 15, Larry Bratcher 12) Cartridge World Otago Nuggets 82 (Lemar Gayle 20, Jay Anderson 18, Brent Charleton 17, Nat Connell 10). HT: 53-44
Friday, March 21
At North Shore Events Centre, North Shore
Appliance Shed Harbour Heat 93 (Hayden Allen 27, Oscar Forman 23, Mika Vukona 14, Tim Behrendorff 10, Daryl Cartwright 10) Cartridge World Otago Nuggets 82 (Lemar Gayle 30, Jay Anderson 13, Brent Charleton 13, Nat Connell 12). HT: 51-41
Saturday, March 22
At Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North
Manawatu OzJets 87 (Keith Davis 22, Kantrail Horton 18, Stacey Lambert 14, Miles Pearce 14) Devon Dynamos Taranaki 78 (Keith Salscheider 23, Ben Jeffrey 19, Link Abrams 16, Aaron Nowell 14). HT: 47-45
Sunday, March 23
At TSB Bank Arena, Wellington
Century City Wellington Saints 92 (Nick Horvath 28, Marquis Webb 22, Troy McLean 13, Terrence Lewis 13) Marley Canterbury Rams 80 (Jeremy Kench 18, Joey Harrell 16, Gerard Bowden 13, Dave Langrell 10). HT: 52-41
2008 Dominion Finance NBL Round Four Results and Standings
