NBL Round 7: Hawks beat Nuggets in the most crucial game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Tamatea. Third ranked Hawks faced 4th placed Nuggets. Host Hawks (7-3) smashed guests from Dunedin (6-5) 103-73. Hawks shot the lights out from three sinking 19 long-distance shots on high 51.4 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. International swingman Ethan Rusbatch (196-92, college: Lincoln Trail) fired 36 points (!!!) and 4 steals for the winners. Australian forward Rhys Vague (206-96) chipped in 25 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). American guard Isaiah Moss (196-96, college: Kansas) produced 16 points and 7 rebounds 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. Hawks have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain third place with 7-3 record having 2 victories less than leader Sharks. Defending champion Nuggets keep the fourth position with five games lost. Hawks are looking forward to face Jets (#9) in Palmerston North in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Nuggets will play at home against Bulls (#8) and are hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
Leader Sharks delivered the ninth victory. This time they beat 9th ranked Jets (3-8) 104-97 in Southland. Worth to mention a great performance of Dominique Kelman-Poto (201-94, college: Adelphi) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 22 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Josh Cunningham contributed with 19 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. American forward DeAndre Daniels (206-92, college: UConn) answered with a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!), 11 rebounds and 4 blocks for Jets. Sharks (9-3) have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They maintain first place. Jets at the other side keep the ninth position with eight games lost. Sharks will play against Bulls (#8) in Pukekohe in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Jets will play at home against Hawks and hope to get back on the winning track.
The game in Christchurch was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Nuggets (6-5) played at the court of 7th ranked Rams (5-5). Nuggets defeated Rams 95-82 on Thursday. It was a great evening for Samuel Timmins who led his team to a victory with a triple-double by scoring 18 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists. At the losing side Deshon Taylor responded with 21 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion maintains fourth place with 6-5 record. Loser Rams dropped to the fifth position with five games lost. Nuggets will meet at home Bulls (#8) in the next round. Rams will play against Mountain Airs and hope to secure a win.
We should mention about the upset which took place in Auckland, where higher ranked Huskies (5-6) lost at home to ninth ranked Bulls (4-7) 70-78. It was an exceptional evening for Kyrin Galloway who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. Bulls moved-up to eighth place. Huskies at the other side dropped to the sixth position with six games lost. Bulls' next round opponent will be higher ranked Nuggets (#4) in Dunedin and it will be quite challenging to get another victory.

Other games of round 7 were very predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
bottom-ranked Mountainairs were defeated by Giants in Stoke 100-86. Bottom-ranked Mountainairs were beaten by Rams at home 85-103. Jets were destroyed by Saints on the opponent's court 100-77.
The best stats of 7th round was 25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists by Daishon Knight of Jets.

Giants - Mountainairs 100-86

There was no surprise in Stoke where 10th ranked Mountain Airs (1-9) were defeated by seventh ranked Giants (5-6) 100-86. Giants forced 19 Mountain Airs turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American swingman Donte Ingram (199-96, college: Loyola, IL) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds. His fellow American import guard Hunter Hale (192-97, college: Winthrop) accounted for 20 points and 7 assists for the winning side. Giants' coach Michael Fitchett used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Naturalized American forward Marcel Jones (203-85, college: Oregon St.) came up with 32 points and 6 rebounds and the former international power forward Tai Wynyard (208-98, college: Kentucky) added 17 points respectively for Mountain Airs in the defeat. Giants moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Huskies. Mountain Airs lost their sixth game in a row. They stay at the bottom position with nine games lost. Giants' next round opponent will be higher ranked Nuggets (#4) in Dunedin and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Mountain Airs will play on the road against Rams (#5) in Christchurch and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Giants: D.Ingram 22+11reb+3ast, H.Hale 20+4reb+7ast, N.Trathen 10+2reb+1ast, L.Joshua 8+3reb+1ast, A.Rissetto 8+3reb+2ast, T.Marsh 8+1reb+2ast
Mountainairs: M.Jones 32+6reb+2ast, T.Wynyard 17+4reb+3ast, D.Leusogi-Ape 10+2reb+2ast, D.Carlin 9+8reb+5ast, M.Francis 6+2reb+2ast, H.Walker 6+3reb+4ast

Rams - Nuggets 82-95

The game in Christchurch was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Nuggets (6-5) played at the court of 7th ranked Rams (5-5). Nuggets defeated Rams 95-82 on Thursday. Nuggets looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was a great evening for the former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-97, college: Washington) who led his team to a victory with a triple-double by scoring 18 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists. Australian forward Geremy McKay (201-96, college: Vanguard) helped adding 21 points and 8 rebounds. At the losing side American guard Deshon Taylor (188-96, college: Fresno St.) responded with 21 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals and forward Quintin Bailey (201-97, college: John Brown) scored 18 points and 5 rebounds. 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. Defending champion maintains fourth place with 6-5 record. Loser Rams dropped to the fifth position with five games lost. Nuggets will meet at home Bulls (#8) in the next round. Rams will play against Mountain Airs and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Nuggets: I.Moss 24+2reb+4ast, G.McKay 21+8reb+2ast, S.Timmins 18+18reb+10ast, R.Rodger 12+3reb+5ast, J.Aitcheson 7+4ast, M.Akiva 6+2reb
Rams: D.Taylor 21+6reb+6ast, Q.Bailey 18+5reb+2ast, E.Singler 16+6reb+1ast, D.Albertsen 11+3reb+2ast, H.Benjamin 5+2reb+3ast, A.Talma 4+6reb

Sharks - Jets 104-97

Leader Sharks delivered the ninth victory. This time they beat 9th ranked Jets (3-8) 104-97 in Southland. Sharks players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Dominique Kelman-Poto (201-94, college: Adelphi) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 22 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. American forward Josh Cunningham (203-96, college: Dayton) contributed with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. American forward DeAndre Daniels (206-92, college: UConn) answered with a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!), 11 rebounds and 4 blocks and the other American import guard Daishon Knight (185-91, college: Illinois St.) added 28 points and 9 assists in the effort for Jets. Five Sharks and four Jets players scored in double figures. Sharks (9-3) have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They maintain first place. Jets at the other side keep the ninth position with eight games lost. Sharks will play against Bulls (#8) in Pukekohe in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Jets will play at home against Hawks and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Sharks: D.Kelman-Poto 22+11reb+4ast, C.Belger 22+11ast, J.Cunningham 19+13reb+3ast, B.Inger 14+8reb+2ast, A.Burton 13+2reb+1ast, J.Helu 11
Jets: D.Daniels 34+11reb+2ast, D.Knight 28+2reb+9ast, S.Temara 20+7reb+2ast, J.Bezzant 10+3reb+6ast, N.McCullough 5+2ast, M.Kalib 0+2reb

Hawks - Nuggets 103-73

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Tamatea. Third ranked Hawks faced 4th placed Nuggets. Host Hawks (7-3) smashed guests from Dunedin (6-5) 103-73. Hawks shot the lights out from three sinking 19 long-distance shots on high 51.4 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. International swingman Ethan Rusbatch (196-92, college: Lincoln Trail) fired 36 points (!!!) and 4 steals for the winners. Australian forward Rhys Vague (206-96) chipped in 25 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). American guard Isaiah Moss (196-96, college: Kansas) produced 16 points and 7 rebounds and the former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-97, college: Washington) added 15 points and 8 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. Hawks have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain third place with 7-3 record having 2 victories less than leader Sharks. Defending champion Nuggets keep the fourth position with five games lost. Hawks are looking forward to face Jets (#9) in Palmerston North in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Nuggets will play at home against Bulls (#8) and are hoping to prove to their supporters that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Hawks: E.Rusbatch 36+4reb+1ast, R.Vague 25+8reb+5ast, J.Janssen 11+8reb, D.Raukawa 9+3reb+7ast, J.Hunt 7+4reb, D.Walker 4+6reb+8ast
Nuggets: I.Moss 16+7reb+3ast, S.Timmins 15+8reb+3ast, G.McKay 11+9reb+2ast, L.Aston 8+3reb, M.Pafe 7+1reb, R.Rodger 6+3ast

Huskies - Bulls 70-78

We should mention about the upset which took place in Auckland, where higher ranked Huskies (5-6) lost at home to ninth ranked Bulls (4-7) 70-78. It was an exceptional evening for Australian forward Kyrin Galloway (203-99, college: UNCG) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. Australian forward Manel Ayol (201, college: Hawaii) accounted for 19 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side. American power forward Chris Johnson (210-85, college: LSU) came up with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks and international forward Thomas Vodanovich (201-94, college: JMU) added 22 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Huskies in the defeat. Bulls moved-up to eighth place. Huskies at the other side dropped to the sixth position with six games lost. Bulls' next round opponent will be higher ranked Nuggets (#4) in Dunedin and it will be quite challenging to get another victory.
Top scorers:
Bulls: K.Galloway 25+15reb+4ast, M.Ayol 19+11reb, D.Brooke 14+8reb+2ast, I.Davidson 7+10reb+2ast, N.Fee 5+4reb+4ast, A.Dunstan 4+3reb
Huskies: C.Johnson 23+11reb+2ast, T.Vodanovich 22+5reb+2ast, T.Fahrensohn 9+3reb+1ast, N.Dontae 7+4reb+6ast, J.Bibbs 6+8reb+3ast, N.Barrow 2+1reb

Mountainairs - Rams 85-103

No shocking result in a game in New Plymouth where seventh ranked Rams (5-5) defeated bottom-ranked Mountain Airs (1-9) 103-85. Rams made 21-of-26 charity shots (80.8 percent) during the game. They also forced 26 Mountain Airs turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American forward EJ Singler (198-90, college: Oregon) who led the winners and scored 41 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 9 assists (perfect from the field making all sixteen shots !!!). His fellow American import guard Deshon Taylor (188-96, college: Fresno St.) accounted for 20 points, 5 assists and 5 steals for the winning side. Rams' coach Mick Downer allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Naturalized American forward Marcel Jones (203-85, college: Oregon St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists and the former international power forward Tai Wynyard (208-98, college: Kentucky) added 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for Mountain Airs in the defeat. Four Rams and five Mountain Airs players scored in double figures. Rams moved-up to fifth place. Mountain Airs lost their sixth game in a row. They stay at the bottom position with nine games lost. Rams' next round opponent will be Huskies (#6) in Auckland. Mountain Airs will play again on the road against Rams (#5) in Christchurch and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Rams: E.Singler 41+7reb+9ast, D.Taylor 20+1reb+5ast, A.Talma 12+5reb+1ast, W.Mason 10+4reb+3ast, S.Smith 7+4reb, Q.Bailey 6+2reb+3ast
Mountainairs: T.Wynyard 16+8reb+5ast, M.Jones 15+11reb+6ast, H.Walker 13+3reb+1ast, D.Carlin 12+5reb+2ast, M.Francis 11+2ast, D.Leusogi-Ape 11+3reb+1ast

Saints - Jets 100-77

Very expected game in Wellington where 9th ranked Jets (3-8) were rolled over by second ranked Saints (8-1) 100-77. Saints outrebounded Jets 42-30 including 27 on the defensive glass. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. It was an exceptional evening for the former international forward Tohi Smith-Milner (206-95, college: Polk State CC) who led the winners and scored 21 points and 9 rebounds. The former international swingman Dion Prewster (195-90, college: SF Austin, agency: BIG) accounted for 16 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists for the winning side. American guard Daishon Knight (185-91, college: Illinois St.) came up with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and guard Nikau McCullough (190-97, college: St.Mary's, TX) added 16 points respectively for Jets in the defeat. Five Saints and four Jets players scored in double figures. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Saints maintains second place with 8-1 record behind leader Sharks. Jets at the other side keep the ninth position with eight games lost. Saints' next round opponent will be bottom-ranked Mountain Airs (#10) in New Plymouth and are hoping to win another game. Jets will play at home against Hawks and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Saints: T.Smith-Milner 21+9reb+2ast, D.Prewster 16+6reb+8ast, T.Kenneth 15+1reb+2ast, K.Roach II 14+11reb+4ast, T.Samuel 11+8reb, T.McLean 9+1ast
Jets: D.Knight 25+6reb+4ast, N.McCullough 16+4reb+1ast, D.Daniels 14+5reb+2ast, M.Kalib 10+2reb, L.Finn 4+5reb, J.Bezzant 2+1ast



Tags : ETHAN RUSBATCH, TAYLOR HAWKS, NEW ZEALAND BASKETBALL