Basketball New Zealand

Airs Jack Leasure (Photosport)

Just when it looked like the Waikato Pistons and Fico Finance Nelson Giants were going to cruise to a top two spot, the Taranaki Mountain Airs and Christchurch Cougars have pulled off their biggest wins of the season.

Cougars guard Jeremy Kench scored 12 of his 22 points in the final quarter, giving the Cougars a 74-63 win over the Giants. Kench also grabbed 10 rebounds against a depleted Giants team who were without Michael Harrison who was injured in their win last night against the Exodus Saints.

It was a horror fourth quarter for the visitors shooting 6/18 in the period and also committed six turnovers. Phill Jones top scored for his side with 17, but shot 7/20. Mika Vukona had a double double of 14 points and 11 rebounds, but the home side restricted him to only two points in three quarters after scoring 12 in the opening period.

Giants shot under 40% from the field and three point line, also shooting 4/10 from the charity stripe. Cougars didnt shoot much better, but manged to shoot 19/24 free throws taking advantage of a 21-11 foul count.

In the first quarter the Giants led 19-13, Cougars struggling from beyond the arc shooting 0/5. Second quarter the Cougars would win 21-14 forcing the Giants to turn the ball over six times.

After the break both teams couldn’t find any offensive rhythm, Cougars finally getting the lead and extending it to six, Giants replyed with a 6-0 run to end the period all tied up.

With the scores tied at the 6:30 mark left, the Cougars went on a massive 21-7 run leading by 14 with one minute left. Cougars making seven free throws in the last two minutes putting the Cougars back in the top six and two games within .500.

In New Plymouth the Taranaki Mountain Airs have pulled off the biggest upset in 2010 beating the Waikato Pistons who have only lost one game this year 85-79.

The Pistons new import Carl Krauser who has been struggling with a foot injury was replaced mid week by former Australian NBL import Rashard Tucker who was rushed into the starting five, fouling out in 28 minutes of game time scoring 4 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

The game would be a foul fest with 47 called, three players from the Pistons fouling out and Aaron Bailey Nowell fouling out for the Airs with 16 points and 5 steals.

Airs nearly blew the game when they were leading by seven with a little over one minute remaining, Pistons scoring six points in under thirty seconds cutting the lead to one with forty one seconds left.

On the next possesion Puke Lendon fouled Airs Alex Wastney, who slotted both free throws. Lendon missed the game tying three attempt and Gerard Bowden missed an attempt led to a Raymond Cameron foul on Jack Leasure (23 points) who made both his free throws.

Bowden turned the ball over with 26 sec left and another Leasure free throw gave the Airs win number five, deleting their five game losing streak.

Airs forced the visitors to turn the ball over 25 times, Jeremiah Trueman and Demarshay Johnson having identical games with 18 points and 8 rebounds a piece.

Alex Pledger had another double double of 13 points and 13 rebounds, but fouled out in 22 minutes. Hayden Allen also fouled out but top scored for the Pistons with 19. Thomas Abercrombie and Tony Ronaldson the only other Pistons to score in double figures scoring 18 and 13 respectively.

In Dunedin the McDonalds Manawatu Jets finally get off the bagel with 89-68 win at the expense of the OceanaGold Nuggets who lose their 12 straight game this season.

After a scoreless game against the Sharks, Richard Jeter exploded with 34 points shooting 6/9 from the three point line. Darryl Hudson nearly picking up a triple double with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists.

Trailing 23-21 in the opening period, the Jets would win the next three quarters leading by as many as 21 in the fourth.

Jets would have an outstanding third quarter holding the home side to only nine points making only two field goals. Jeter and Hudson scoring 19 of the Jets 23 points in the third.

The one bright spot for the Nuggets was the play of young kiwi guard James Ross who scored 18 points and dished 5 assists. But the Nuggets will be very worried that they will be joining the company of the 1998 Northland Suns and the 2009 Taranaki Mountain Airs who are the only teams in the NBL to ever have a winless season.

Saturday, May 22

At Cowles Stadium, Christchurch

Christchurch Cougars 74 (Jeremy Kench 22, Tim Behrendorff 15, Trent Wurtz 12) Fico Finance Nelson Giants 63 (Phill Jones 17, Tony Rampton 15, Mika Vukona 14), Final

Referees – Gavin Zimmerman, Rawyn Willocks, Hayden Pipe
1Q: 13-19
HT: 34-33 (21-14)
3Q: 48-48 (14-15)
FT: 74-63 (26-15)
Cougars v Giants Boxscore (24 KB html)

At Edgar Centre, Dunedin

OceanaGold Nuggets 68 (James Ross 18, Sam To’omata 13, Tyler Amaya 11, John Barber 11) McDonalds Manawatu Jets 89 (Richard Jeter 34, Darryl Hudson 20, Chris Reay 12), Final

Referees – Gavin Whiu, Raelene Forde, Matt Bathurst
1Q: 23-21
HT: 37-42 (14-21)
3Q: 46-65 (9-23)
FT: 68-89 (22-24)
Nuggets v Jets Boxscore (24 KB html)

At TSB Stadium, New Plymouth

Taranaki Mountain Airs 85 (Jack Leasure 23, Jeremiah Trueman 18, Demarshay Johnson 18, Aaron Bailey Nowell 16) Waikato Pistons 79 (Hayden Allen 19, Thomas Abercrombie 18, Alex Pledger 13, Tony Ronaldson 13), Final

Referees – Melony Wealleans, Jamie Hickey, Kieran Udy
1Q: 24-15
HT: 41-33
3Q: 62-52 (21-19)
FT: 85-79 (23-27)
Airs v Pistons Boxscore (24 Kb html)