POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Shea Ili
Saints - Sharks 95-89
Wellington Saints advanced into NBL Grand Final. They beat Southland Sharks in the semifinal clash. Saints made 24-of-29 free shots (82.8 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of international guard Shea Ili (184-92) who helped to win the game recording 32 points and 5 assists. Australian power forward Nick Kay (206-92, college: MSU Denver) contributed with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. International forward Thomas Vodanovich (201-94, college: JMU) answered with 23 points and 7 rebounds and American guard Roberto Nelson (190-91, college: Oregon St., agency: Best of You Sports) added 14 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists in the effort for Sharks. Four Saints and five Sharks players scored in double figures.
Top scorers:
Saints: S.Ili 32+3reb+5ast, N.Kay 15+12reb+5ast, R.Te Rangi 13+1reb, T.Abercrombie 12+8reb+4ast, S.Dech 8+4reb+2ast, R.Loe 8+6reb+2ast
Sharks: T.Vodanovich 23+7reb+1ast, A.Pledger 16+8reb, R.Nelson 14+5reb+9ast, T.Blanchfield 11+8reb+2ast, J.Weeks 11+3reb+2ast, H.Harris 10+9reb+2ast
gschID: 730627
Hawks - Rams 74-68
Bay Hawks will play in the championship game. They overcame Canterbury Rams in the semifinal battle. Hawks brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. American forward Brandon Bowman (205-84, college: Georgetown, agency: David Lee Services) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks for the winners and international swingman Ethan Rusbatch (196-92, college: Lincoln Trail CC) chipped in 20 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. At the losing side Australian guard Emmett Naar (185-94, college: St.Mary's, CA) responded with 17 points and 7 assists and American forward Isaiah Wilkins (203-95, college: Virginia) scored 11 points and 9 rebounds. Rams' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help.
Top scorers:
Hawks: B.Bowman 26+10reb+3ast, E.Rusbatch 20+9reb+4ast, E.Singler 11+8reb+2ast, J.Kenny 7+7reb+7ast, D.Prewster 7+6reb+2ast, E.Bartlett 3+3reb
Rams: E.Naar 17+4reb+7ast, I.Wilkins 11+9reb+2ast, L.Aston 11+4reb, C.Gliddon 8+6reb+5ast, A.Talma 6+4reb+2ast, J.Janssen 5+7reb
gschID: 730628
