NBL Round 14: Saints defeat Giants

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Giants (12-4) in Wellington on Tuesday night. Visitors were defeated by eighth ranked Saints (8-8) 89-79. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Giants. Saints dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Giants' 28. Australian forward Xavier Cooks (203-1995, college: Winthrop) orchestrated the victory by scoring 28 points and 7 rebounds. American point guard Mike Smith (180-1997, college: Michigan) contributed with 23 points for the winners. American point guard Jarrod West (182-1999, college: Louisville) replied with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists for Giants. Saints have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion moved-up to sixth place. Giants at the other side still keep top position with four games lost. Saints are looking forward to face higher ranked Huskies (#3) in Auckland in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Giants will play on the road against the league's second-placed Airs in New Plymouth and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Pukekohe was also worth to mention about. Second ranked Airs (11-6) played at the court of 7th ranked Bulls (7-9). Airs managed to secure a 7-point victory 93-86. American swingman Shaun Willett (193-1996, college: Queens, NC) had a double-double by scoring 24 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Marcel Jones chipped in 20 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. Power forward Anzac Rissetto (208-2001, college: Charlotte) responded with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 10 rebounds. Airs maintains second position with 11-6 record behind leader Giants. Bulls lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth place with nine games lost. Airs will play against league's leader Giants in Stoke in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Bulls will play on the road against Nuggets (#4) in Dunedin and hope to get back on the winning track.
The game between eighth ranked Rams (8-9) and 9th ranked Sharks (5-12) in Christchurch on Saturday ended with biggest points difference. Rams outscored guests from Southland 106-55. Matthew Moyer notched a double-double by scoring 19 points and 20 rebounds to lead the effort. Even 16 points and 8 rebounds by Brayden Inger did not help to save the game for Sharks. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Rams moved-up to seventh place. Loser Sharks keep the ninth position with 12 games lost. Rams will meet higher ranked Hawks (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Sharks will play against Bulls (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last two games of round 14 Sharks were beaten by Nuggets on the road 102-87. Hawks destroyed Jets on its own court 106-69.

Nuggets - Sharks 102-87

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Nuggets (9-8) beat 9th ranked Sharks (5-12) in Dunedin 102-87 on Wednesday. Nuggets outrebounded Sharks 48-32 including 18 on the offensive glass. American guard Keith Williams (196-1998, college: WKU) notched 23 points and 5 assists to lead the effort and the other American import guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) supported him with 22 points and 7 assists. Even 22 points and 8 rebounds by the former international forward Brayden Inger (203-1999) did not help to save the game for Sharks. American guard Daishon Knight (185-1991, college: Illinois St., agency: BIG) added 12 points and 7 assists for the guests. Four Nuggets and five Sharks players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Nuggets moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Hawks. Loser Sharks keep the ninth position with 12 games lost. Nuggets will meet at home Bulls (#8) in the next round. Sharks will play against Bulls and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Nuggets: K.Williams 23+4reb+5ast, T.Boyd III 22+3reb+7ast, S.Timmins 18+11reb+1ast, N.McCullough 18+5reb+1ast, D.Knox 7+3reb+2ast, B.Matthew 6+5reb
Sharks: B.Inger 22+8reb, K.Mojave 12+4reb+4ast, D.Knight 12+2reb+7ast, R.Gill 12+5reb, D.Leusogi-Ape 10+3reb+3ast, J.Gerrand 7+1reb+1ast

Bulls - Airs 86-93

The game in Pukekohe was also worth to mention about. Second ranked Airs (11-6) played at the court of 7th ranked Bulls (7-9). Airs managed to secure a 7-point victory 93-86. American swingman Shaun Willett (193-1996, college: Queens, NC) had a double-double by scoring 24 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and naturalized American forward Marcel Jones (203-1985, college: Oregon St.) chipped in 20 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. Four Airs players scored in double figures. Power forward Anzac Rissetto (208-2001, college: Charlotte) responded with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 10 rebounds and the former international guard Corey Webster (188-1988, college: Lambuth) scored 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Airs maintains second position with 11-6 record behind leader Giants. Bulls lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth place with nine games lost. Airs will play against league's leader Giants in Stoke in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Bulls will play on the road against Nuggets (#4) in Dunedin and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Airs: S.Willett 24+12reb+5ast, A.Hilliard 21+5reb+2ast, M.Jones 20+10reb+2ast, J.Douglas 15+11reb+6ast, D.Carlin 9+7reb+1ast, T.Scott 2+2reb+1ast
Bulls: A.Rissetto 27+10reb+1ast, C.Webster 24+5reb+4ast, I.Davidson 17+8reb+4ast, L.Henry 7+7reb+3ast, L.Joshua 5+2reb, K.Robinson 3+3reb

Rams - Sharks 106-55

The game between eighth ranked Rams (8-9) and 9th ranked Sharks (5-12) in Christchurch on Saturday ended with biggest points difference. Rams outscored guests from Southland 106-55. Rams outrebounded Sharks 51-26 including a 19-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Sharks' players. American Matthew Moyer (203-1997, college: GWU) notched a double-double by scoring 19 points and 20 rebounds to lead the effort and the former international center Mike Karena (208-1993, college: Wright St.) supported him with 21 points. Four Rams players scored in double figures. Even 16 points and 8 rebounds by the former international forward Brayden Inger (203-1999) did not help to save the game for Sharks. American guard Daishon Knight (185-1991, college: Illinois St., agency: BIG) added 13 points 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. Rams moved-up to seventh place. Loser Sharks keep the ninth position with 12 games lost. Rams will meet higher ranked Hawks (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Sharks will play against Bulls (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rams: M.Karena 21+4reb+1ast, M.Moyer 19+20reb+1ast, S.Dech 15+3reb+4ast, B.Walter 11+2reb+3ast, A.Talma 9+4reb+1ast, J.Cook-Green 8+7reb+3ast
Sharks: B.Inger 16+8reb+2ast, D.Knight 13+3reb+2ast, K.Mojave 11+3reb+3ast, D.Leusogi-Ape 7+3reb, A.Burton 5+3reb, L.McRae 2+3reb+1ast

Hawks - Jets 106-69

Rather expected game when 9th ranked Jets (5-13) were smashed by sixth ranked Hawks (9-8) in Tamatea 106-69 on Sunday. Hawks looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Jets' players. The former international guard Jarrod Kenny (186-1985) notched a double-double by scoring 10 points and 13 assists to lead the effort and the former international swingman Ethan Rusbatch (196-1992, college: Lincoln Trail) supported him with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Five Hawks players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds by Jordanian-American center John Bohannon (211-1991, college: UTEP) did not help to save the game for Jets. Naturalized American power forward Shane Temara (205-1995, college: N.Texas) added 18 points and 8 rebounds for the guests. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Hawks moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Nuggets. Jets lost sixth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with 13 games lost. Hawks will meet at home Rams (#7) in the next round. Jets will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Hawks: J.Hunt 17+4reb+1ast, E.Rusbatch 17+5reb+2ast, J.Salt 14+7reb, Q.Bailey 11+1reb+2ast, T.Agee 11+4reb+2ast, H.Harris 10+4reb+4ast
Jets: S.Temara 18+8reb+1ast, J.Bohannon 18+14reb+2ast, F.Isaac 13+3reb+3ast, S.Nathaniel 8+2reb, C.Tukaha 5+2reb+2ast, C.Jacob 4+3reb+1ast

Saints - Giants 89-79

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Giants (12-4) in Wellington on Tuesday night. Visitors were defeated by eighth ranked Saints (8-8) 89-79. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Giants. Saints dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Giants' 28. Australian forward Xavier Cooks (203-1995, college: Winthrop) orchestrated the victory by scoring 28 points and 7 rebounds. American point guard Mike Smith (180-1997, college: Michigan) contributed with 23 points for the winners. American point guard Jarrod West (182-1999, college: Louisville) replied with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists and his fellow American import forward Sam Thompson (200-1992, college: Ohio St.) added 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Giants. Four Saints and five Giants players scored in double figures. Saints have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion moved-up to sixth place. Giants at the other side still keep top position with four games lost. Saints are looking forward to face higher ranked Huskies (#3) in Auckland in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Giants will play on the road against the league's second-placed Airs in New Plymouth and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Saints: X.Cooks 28+7reb+3ast, M.Smith 23+2reb+2ast, T.Vodanovich 12+7reb+3ast, J.Ngatai 10+4reb+1ast, R.Upshaw Jr. 7+7reb+2ast, T.Samuel 6+7reb
Giants: J.West 17+6reb+7ast, S.Thompson 16+7reb+4ast, T.Mourning 14+7reb, S.Dempster 12+7reb+2ast, N.Trathen 11+3reb, T.Marsh 5+1reb



Tags : XAVIER COOKS, WELLINGTON SAINTS, NEW ZEALAND BASKETBALL