NBL Round 4: Jets defeat Rams

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most surprising game was another loss of Rams (3-2) in Palmerston North on Wednesday night. Visitors were defeated by fifth ranked Jets (2-2) 108-93. Jets forced 19 Rams turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of international forward Thomas Vodanovich (201-94, college: JMU) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds. Forward Taane Samuel (200-99) contributed with 27 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. International guard Taylor Britt (188-96, college: Southeast CC) replied with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for Rams. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Jets moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Nuggets. Rams at the other side still keep top position with two games lost. They share it with Mountainairs and Bulls. Jets is looking forward to face league's second-placed Mountain Airs in New Plymouth in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Rams will play at home against Nuggets and are hoping to win this game.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Nuggets (2-2) against fourth ranked Bulls (3-2) on Thursday night. Host Nuggets were defeated by Bulls in a tough game in Dunedin 79-85. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Nuggets. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-97, college: Washington) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds and Nikau McCullough who added 14 points and 4 steals during the contest. At the losing side the former international forward Jordan Ngatai (196-93, college: BYU-Hawaii) responded with 15 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Bulls have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Rams and Mountainairs. Nuggets at the other side dropped to the fourth place with two games lost. They share the position with Jets. Bulls will play against Jets (#5) in Palmerston North in the next round. Nuggets will play on the road against the league's leader Rams in Christchurch and hope to get back on the winning track.
Very important is a home loss of first ranked Rams (3-2) against sixth ranked Giants (2-3) on Thursday night. Host Rams were defeated by Giants in a tough game in Christchurch 90-97. The winners were led by Mike Karena who had that evening a double-double by scoring 27 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Even 21 points and 5 assists (made all of his seven free throws) by Taylor Britt did not help to save the game for Rams. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Giants maintains sixth position with 2-3 record. Loser Rams still keep top place with two games lost. They share the position with Mountainairs and Bulls. Giants will meet bottom-ranked Huskies (#7) in the next round. Rams will play against Nuggets (#4) and hope to secure a win.
An interesting game for Mountain Airs (3-2) which hosted in New Plymouth their biggest opponent Nuggets (2-2). Third ranked Mountain Airs had an easy win 107-81. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Nuggets. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Marcel Jones fired a double-double by scoring 15 points, 18 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Mountain Airs keep a position of league leader, which they share with Rams and Bulls. Nuggets at the other side dropped to the fourth place with two games lost. Mountain Airs' next round opponent will be Jets (#5) in Palmerston North. Nuggets will play on the road against the league's leader Rams in Christchurch and hope to win that game.

Mountainairs - Nuggets 107-81

An interesting game for Mountain Airs (3-2) which hosted in New Plymouth their biggest opponent Nuggets (2-2). Third ranked Mountain Airs had an easy win 107-81. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Nuggets. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Mountain Airs dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Nuggets' 32. They outrebounded Nuggets 60-30 including a 42-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. Naturalized American forward Marcel Jones (203-85, college: Oregon St.) fired a double-double by scoring 15 points, 18 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. The former international guard Derone Raukawa (181-94) chipped in 23 points and 6 assists (made all of his eight free throws). Five Mountain Airs players scored in double figures. The former international forward Jordan Ngatai (196-93, college: BYU-Hawaii) produced 22 points and the former international guard Jarrod Kenny (188-85) added 18 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Mountain Airs keep a position of league leader, which they share with Rams and Bulls. Nuggets at the other side dropped to the fourth place with two games lost. Mountain Airs' next round opponent will be Jets (#5) in Palmerston North. Nuggets will play on the road against the league's leader Rams in Christchurch and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Mountainairs: D.Raukawa 23+4reb+6ast, S.Temara 18+11reb+1ast, M.Francis 17+4reb+2ast, T.Kenneth 15+5reb, M.Jones 15+18reb+7ast, D.Mitchell 8+7reb+1ast
Nuggets: J.Ngatai 22+2reb+2ast, J.Kenny 18+6reb+2ast, J.Hunt 16+7reb, D.Knox 7+4reb+3ast, R.Rodger 7+1reb+1ast, J.Aitcheson 3+3reb+7ast

Jets - Rams 108-93

The most surprising game was another loss of Rams (3-2) in Palmerston North on Wednesday night. Visitors were defeated by fifth ranked Jets (2-2) 108-93. Jets forced 19 Rams turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of international forward Thomas Vodanovich (201-94, college: JMU) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds. Forward Taane Samuel (200-99) contributed with 27 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. International guard Taylor Britt (188-96, college: Southeast CC) replied with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and naturalized Swiss guard Samuel Smith (196-96, college: Texas Wesleyan) added 16 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists in the effort for Rams. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Jets moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Nuggets. Rams at the other side still keep top position with two games lost. They share it with Mountainairs and Bulls. Jets is looking forward to face league's second-placed Mountain Airs in New Plymouth in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Rams will play at home against Nuggets and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Jets: T.Samuel 27+6reb+2ast, T.Vodanovich 25+12reb+3ast, J.Bezzant 25+6ast, H.Harris 18+9reb+3ast, N.Fee 7+3ast, H.Walker 4+1reb+3ast
Rams: T.Britt 23+8reb+5ast, W.Thomas 17+1reb+1ast, S.Smith 16+8reb+6ast, W.Mason 11+3reb+1ast, Q.Bailey 9+3reb+1ast, A.Talma 9+5reb+1ast

Nuggets - Bulls 79-85

Very important is a home loss of second ranked Nuggets (2-2) against fourth ranked Bulls (3-2) on Thursday night. Host Nuggets were defeated by Bulls in a tough game in Dunedin 79-85. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Nuggets. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-97, college: Washington) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds and guard Nikau McCullough (188-97, college: St.Mary's, TX) who added 14 points and 4 steals during the contest. At the losing side the former international forward Jordan Ngatai (196-93, college: BYU-Hawaii) responded with 15 points and 8 rebounds and forward Jordan Hunt (206, college: S.Oregon) scored 18 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Bulls have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Rams and Mountainairs. Nuggets at the other side dropped to the fourth place with two games lost. They share the position with Jets. Bulls will play against Jets (#5) in Palmerston North in the next round. Nuggets will play on the road against the league's leader Rams in Christchurch and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Bulls: S.Timmins 24+12reb, N.McCullough 14+2reb+3ast, D.Kelman-Poto 13+4reb, I.Davidson 13+1reb+2ast, S.Vaiangina 8+4reb, E.Bartlett 6+1reb+1ast
Nuggets: J.Hunt 18+4reb, J.Ngatai 15+8reb+2ast, J.Kenny 13+4ast, J.Aitcheson 13+5reb+2ast, A.Jack 7, D.Knox 5+2reb+1ast

Rams - Giants 90-97

Very important is a home loss of first ranked Rams (3-2) against sixth ranked Giants (2-3) on Thursday night. Host Rams were defeated by Giants in a tough game in Christchurch 90-97. The winners were led by the former international center Mike Karena (210-93, college: Wright St.) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 27 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists and guard Dane Brooks (188-96, college: Harcum CC) supported him with 16 points and 7 rebounds. Even 21 points and 5 assists (made all of his seven free throws) by international guard Taylor Britt (188-96, college: Southeast CC) did not help to save the game for Rams. Alex Talma (203-94, college: Biola, CA) added 12 points and 12 rebounds for lost side. Five Giants and four Rams players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Giants maintains sixth position with 2-3 record. Loser Rams still keep top place with two games lost. They share the position with Mountainairs and Bulls. Giants will meet bottom-ranked Huskies (#7) in the next round. Rams will play against Nuggets (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Giants: M.Karena 27+11reb+5ast, T.Ingham 20+2reb+1ast, D.Brooks 16+7reb+2ast, N.Trathen 12+2reb+1ast, J.Bloxham 10+5reb, A.Tysxun 6+1reb+1ast
Rams: T.Britt 21+2reb+5ast, A.Talma 12+12reb+2ast, S.Smith 12+4reb+5ast, W.Thomas 11+2reb, W.Mason 9+1reb+1ast, M.Stodart 8+5reb



Tags : THOMAS VODANOVICH, MANAWATU JETS, NEW ZEALAND BASKETBALL