NBL Round 1 of Quarter-Finals. Nuggets and Tautara advance into semis

Nuggets - Hawks 91-80

Nuggets defeated Hawks to enter the semifinal stage. Nuggets made 19-of-25 charity shots (76.0 percent) during the game. They brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) who helped to win the game recording 30 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. His fellow American import guard Keith Williams (196-1998, college: WKU) contributed with 24 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Four Nuggets players scored in double figures. Nuggets' coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The former international swingman Ethan Rusbatch (196-1992, college: Lincoln Trail) answered with 29 points and the former international guard Jarrod Kenny (186-1985) added 10 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Hawks.
Top scorers:
Nuggets: T.Boyd III 30+5reb+5ast, K.Williams 24+6reb+3ast, N.McCullough 19+6reb, S.Timmins 12+9reb+2ast, T.Withers 3+5reb+1ast, B.Matthew 3
Hawks: E.Rusbatch 29+4reb, H.Harris 16+6reb+3ast, J.Kenny 10+12reb+5ast, T.Agee 8+6reb, D.Raukawa 8+3reb+3ast, Q.Bailey 4

Saints - Tuatara 87-92

Tautara overcame Saints to secure the next round berth. Huskies looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The former international forward Robert Loe (211-1991, college: St.Louis) fired a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. The former international Takiula Fahrensohn (201-1999, college: Portland, agency: Haylett Sports) chipped in 24 points and 7 rebounds. Australian forward Xavier Cooks (203-1995, college: Winthrop) produced a double-double by scoring 26 points and 16 rebounds and American forward Reggie Upshaw Jr (203-1995, college: MTSU) added 20 points and 7 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures.
Top scorers:
Tuatara: T.Fahrensohn 24+7reb+3ast, R.Loe 24+10reb+1ast, S.Schneider 17+10reb+7ast, C.Johnson 17+13reb+2ast, N.Barrow 6+2reb+1ast, M.Chris 3
Saints: X.Cooks 26+16reb+2ast, R.Upshaw Jr. 20+7reb+2ast, M.Smith 14+2reb+5ast, T.Vodanovich 12+4reb+3ast, J.Ngatai 7+6reb+2ast, T.Samuel 5+2reb



Tags : TRAY BOYD III, OTAGO NUGGETS, NEW ZEALAND BASKETBALL