NBL Round 2: Huskies defeat Giants

There were only 2 rounds played so far and it's still very beginning of the Regular Season in NBL. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Giants in Stoke on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by Huskies 86-77. Huskies made 21-of-27 free shots (77.8 percent) during the game. Huskies outrebounded Giants 43-29 including 34 on the defensive glass. The former international forward Robert Loe (211-91, college: St.Louis) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. American power forward Chris Johnson (210-85, college: LSU) contributed with 19 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. American power forward Trey Mourning (206-96, college: Georgetown, agency: Interperformances) replied with 31 points for Giants. Huskies are looking forward to face Saints in Wellington in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Giants will play on the road against Bulls in Pukekohe and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a home loss of Airs against Hawks on Thursday night. Host Airs were defeated by Hawks in New Plymouth 93-77. The former international forward Hyrum Harris (198-1996, college: Umpqua CC) had a double-double by scoring 14 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Ethan Rusbatch chipped in 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Hawks' coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The former international power forward Tai Wynyard (208-98, college: Kentucky) responded with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 11 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). Hawks will play against Nuggets in Dunedin in the next round. Airs will play at home against Rams to get more than just one victory in their record.
An interesting game for Huskies which played road game in Christchurch against Rams. Huskies had an easy win 84-56. Chris Johnson notched a double-double by scoring 24 points, 15 rebounds and 5 blocks to lead the effort. Even 16 points and 4 assists by Taylor Britt did not help to save the game for Rams. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Huskies will meet Saints in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Rams will play against Airs in New Plymouth and hope to win that game.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 2: winless Saints were smashed by Nuggets on the road 83-61. Bulls won against Sharks on its own court 79-75. Sharks outscored Jets in Southland 97-78.
The most impressive performance of 2nd round was 14 points and 9 rebounds by Romaro Gill of Sharks.

Airs - Hawks 77-93

Very important is a home loss of Airs against Hawks on Thursday night. Host Airs were defeated by Hawks in New Plymouth 93-77. Hawks made 24-of-28 charity shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. The former international forward Hyrum Harris (198-1996, college: Umpqua CC) had a double-double by scoring 14 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the former international swingman Ethan Rusbatch (196-92, college: Lincoln Trail) chipped in 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Hawks' coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The former international power forward Tai Wynyard (208-98, college: Kentucky) responded with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 11 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) and guard Carlin Davison (196-3) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds. Five Hawks and four Airs players scored in double figures. Hawks will play against Nuggets in Dunedin in the next round. Airs will play at home against Rams to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Airs: T.Wynyard 23+11reb+1ast, H.Walker 14+2reb+2ast, C.Davison 12+10reb+2ast, R.Rodger 10+4reb+6ast, S.Telfer 6+1reb, F.Benji 5+2reb
Hawks: E.Rusbatch 22+8reb+4ast, D.Raukawa 17+3reb+4ast, J.Hunt 16+5reb, E.Jack 15+4reb+4ast, H.Harris 14+14reb+7ast, Q.Bailey 5+3reb

Giants - Tuatara 77-86

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Giants in Stoke on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by Huskies 86-77. Huskies made 21-of-27 free shots (77.8 percent) during the game. Huskies outrebounded Giants 43-29 including 34 on the defensive glass. The former international forward Robert Loe (211-91, college: St.Louis) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. American power forward Chris Johnson (210-85, college: LSU) contributed with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Four Huskies players scored in double figures. American power forward Trey Mourning (206-96, college: Georgetown, agency: Interperformances) replied with 31 points and his fellow American import point guard Jarrod West (180-99, college: Louisville) added 14 points, 9 assists and 4 steals in the effort for Giants. Huskies are looking forward to face Saints in Wellington in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Giants will play on the road against Bulls in Pukekohe and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Giants: T.Mourning 31+4reb+1ast, J.West 14+4reb+9ast, S.Dempster 12+7reb, S.Jordan 8+4reb, N.Trathen 8+3reb+2ast, T.Marsh 2+2reb+3ast
Tuatara: R.Loe 23+12reb+4ast, C.Johnson 19+15reb+4ast, T.Fahrensohn 14+6reb+3ast, N.Dontae 14+5reb+3ast, M.Chris 9+2reb+1ast, I.Braydon 5+1reb

Nuggets - Saints 83-61

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when Nuggets crushed Saints in Dunedin 83-61 on Saturday. Nuggets dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Saints' 22. Nuggets forced 20 Saints turnovers. The former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-97, college: Washington) notched 26 points to lead the effort and American guard Keith Williams (196-98, college: WKU) supported him with 15 points. Even 15 points and 6 rebounds by American point guard Mike Smith (180-1997, college: Michigan) did not help to save the game for Saints. The former international forward Taane Samuel (200-1999) added 14 points and 8 rebounds for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Nuggets will meet at home Hawks in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Saints will play against Huskies and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Saints: M.Smith 15+6reb+3ast, T.Samuel 14+8reb, J.Ngatai 11+5reb+2ast, M.Francis 8+3reb+1ast, T.Kenneth 5+3reb, J.Helu 5+5reb
Nuggets: S.Timmins 26+3reb+1ast, K.Williams 15+4reb+2ast, T.McCall 12+4reb+3ast, N.McCullough 9+4reb+3ast, A.Jack 6+3reb+1ast, D.Knox 4+1ast

Bulls - Sharks 79-75

Very expected game when Sharks lost to Bulls in Pukekohe 75-79 on Saturday. However just four-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Bulls forced 25 Sharks turnovers. Strangely Sharks outrebounded Bulls 38-25 including 28 on the defensive glass. The former international guard Jayden Bezzant (188-96, college: NW Nazarene) notched 28 points, 8 assists and 4 steals to lead the effort and the former international forward Leon Henry (200-85, college: S.Idaho JC, agency: BIG) supported him with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Even 25 points and 6 rebounds by naturalized American guard Mojave King (196-2) did not help to save the game for Sharks. Forward Dominique Kelman-Poto (201-1994, college: Adelphi) added 13 points and 14 rebounds for the guests. Five Sharks players scored in double figures. Bulls will meet at home Giants in the next round. Sharks will play against Hawks and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sharks: K.Mojave 25+6reb+2ast, D.Kelman-Poto 13+14reb+3ast, B.Inger 11+9reb+1ast, D.Leusogi-Ape 10+2reb, A.Burton 10+2reb, J.Gerrand 4
Bulls: J.Bezzant 28+3reb+8ast, L.Henry 13+9reb, A.Rissetto 11+5reb, T.Jett 7+2reb+1ast, L.Joshua 6+3reb, K.Keil 6+1ast

Rams - Tuatara 56-84

An interesting game for Huskies which played road game in Christchurch against Rams. Huskies had an easy win 84-56. Huskies had a 33-20 advantage in offensive rebounds. American power forward Chris Johnson (210-85, college: LSU) notched a double-double by scoring 24 points, 15 rebounds and 5 blocks to lead the effort and the former international forward Robert Loe (211-91, college: St.Louis) supported him with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Five Huskies players scored in double figures. Even 16 points and 4 assists by international guard Taylor Britt (187-1996, college: Southeast CC) did not help to save the game for Rams. Australian guard Sunday Dech (195-1994, college: Barry) added 9 points and 9 rebounds for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Huskies will meet Saints in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Rams will play against Airs in New Plymouth and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Rams: T.Britt 16+3reb+4ast, J.Cook-Green 12+3reb, S.Dech 9+9reb+3ast, M.Darling 7+5reb+2ast, M.Karena 4+3reb+3ast, A.Hunter 3+2reb+1ast
Tuatara: C.Johnson 24+15reb+2ast, R.Loe 18+12reb+7ast, N.Dontae 15+5reb+5ast, T.Fahrensohn 14+4reb+3ast, I.Braydon 13+2reb+1ast, B.Thomas 0+1ast

Jets - Sharks 78-97

Rather predictable result when Sharks rolled over Jets in Palmerston North 97-78 on Sunday. Sharks looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Guard Alonzo Burton (193-1993, agency: IceBasket) notched 20 points and 6 rebounds to lead the effort and naturalized American guard Mojave King (196-2) supported him with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Four Sharks players scored in double figures. Even 15 points and 5 rebounds by guard Tukaha Cooper (190-2002) did not help to save the game for Jets. Jacob Collis added 8 points and 11 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sharks will meet at home Hawks in the next round. Jets will play against Rams and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Jets: C.Tukaha 15+5reb, F.Isaac 12+6reb+1ast, S.Klein 10+3reb+1ast, M.Pafe 9+3reb+2ast, C.Jacob 8+11reb+1ast, R.Lukah 7+6reb+3ast
Sharks: A.Burton 20+6reb+1ast, K.Mojave 16+5reb+6ast, R.Gill 14+9reb+1ast, B.Inger 13+5reb+1ast, D.Kelman-Poto 9+5reb+4ast, D.Leusogi-Ape 9+2reb+1ast



Tags : ROBERT LOE, AUCKLAND TUATARA, NEW ZEALAND BASKETBALL