NBL Round 15: #1 Tuatara is defeated by Saints

The Regular Season in NBL just ended. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Tuatara (13-4) in Auckland on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by fifth ranked Saints (8-9) 102-93. It ended at the same time the ten-game winning streak of Tuatara. Saints made 24-of-29 free shots (82.8 percent) during the game. They also forced 23 Tuatara turnovers. It was a great evening for Australian guard Kyle Adnam (186-1993) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points and 4 assists. The former international guard Izayah Mauriohooho-Leafa (188-1996, college: Sacramento St.) helped adding 16 points and 6 assists. The best for the losing side was Australian swingman Cameron Gliddon (197-1989, college: CUI) with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Tuatara's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Saints maintains fifth place with 8-9 record. Tuatara at the other side still keeps top position with four games lost.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Bulls (12-6) against fourth ranked Rams (12-6) on Friday night. Visiting Bulls were defeated by Rams in Christchurch 103-89. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Tevin Brown (196-1998, college: Murray St.) who led the winners and scored 25 points and 5 rebounds. Maxwell Darling accounted for 22 points. Rams' coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The former international forward Daniel Fotu (203-1999, college: SMC) came up with 22 points and 5 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for Bulls in the defeat. Rams have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to third place, which they share with defeated Bulls.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Nuggets (12-5) against eighth ranked Airs (6-11) on Saturday night. Host Nuggets were defeated by Airs in a tough game in Dunedin 95-100. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Nuggets. The best player for the winners was Kendrick Ray who scored 29 points and 6 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Samuel Timmins who recorded a double-double by scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field). Nuggets' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Airs moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Giants. Defending champion Nuggets keep the second position with five games lost.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 15: Giants were destroyed by Airs on the opponent's court 108-82. Hawks outscored Jets in a home game 106-81. Bottom-ranked Sharks rolled over Giants on the road 99-75.

Airs - Giants 108-82

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in New Plymouth where 7th ranked Giants (6-11) were crushed by eighth ranked Airs (6-11) 108-82 on Thursday. Airs dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Giants' 38. Airs had a 35-23 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. The best player for the winners was the former international power forward Anzac Rissetto (208-2001, college: Charlotte) who scored 30 points (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). American guard Kendrick Ray (188-1994, college: KSU) chipped in 16 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Coach 's team controlled all game and the coach could let to play all 12 players and allowed the starting five to rest. At the other side the best for losing team was center Callum McRae (216-1999, college: Sacramento St.) who recorded a double-double by scoring 17 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and the former international guard Alexander McNaught (185-2002) added 22 points respectively. Five Airs and four Giants players scored in double figures. Airs moved-up to seventh place, which they share with defeated Giants.
Top scorers:
Giants: M.Alexander 22+1reb+3ast, C.McRae 17+10reb+5ast, T.Ingham 16+3reb+2ast, N.Trathen 14+6reb, S.Dempster 8+7reb+4ast, J.Hayden 2+3reb+1ast
Airs: A.Rissetto 30+4reb, R.Rodger 17+6reb+2ast, K.Ray 16+5reb+8ast, A.Fletcher 16+4reb+1ast, A.Hilliard 14+7reb+6ast, Q.Bailey 8+3reb+6ast

Rams - Bulls 103-89

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Bulls (12-6) against fourth ranked Rams (12-6) on Friday night. Visiting Bulls were defeated by Rams in Christchurch 103-89. Rams forced 19 Bulls turnovers. Bulls were plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Tevin Brown (196-1998, college: Murray St.) who led the winners and scored 25 points and 5 rebounds. The former international forward Maxwell Darling (196-2000, agency: Octagon Europe) accounted for 22 points for the winning side. Rams' coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The former international forward Daniel Fotu (203-1999, college: SMC) came up with 22 points and 5 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) and the former international forward Isaac Davidson (198-1997, college: Sonoma St.) added 19 points respectively for Bulls in the defeat. Five Rams and four Bulls players scored in double figures. Rams have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to third place, which they share with defeated Bulls.
Top scorers:
Bulls: D.Fotu 22+5reb+2ast, I.Davidson 19+4reb+2ast, J.Brantley 13+5reb+1ast, R.McGill 12+4reb+9ast, J.Wilson-Frame 9+4reb+5ast, M.Freeman 7+2reb+3ast
Rams: T.Brown 25+5reb+1ast, M.Darling 22+3reb+1ast, T.Baxter Jr. 22+2reb+1ast, T.Britt 12+3reb+4ast, G.Smith 10+7reb+1ast, B.Walter 6+5reb+5ast

Nuggets - Airs 95-100

Very important is a home loss of second ranked Nuggets (12-5) against eighth ranked Airs (6-11) on Saturday night. Host Nuggets were defeated by Airs in a tough game in Dunedin 95-100. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Nuggets. Airs made 21-of-24 free shots (87.5 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American guard Kendrick Ray (188-1994, college: KSU) who scored 29 points and 6 rebounds. His fellow American import swingman Anthony Hilliard (195-1986, college: ECSU) chipped in 16 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-1997, college: Washington) who recorded a double-double by scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field) and Australian guard Michael Harris (193-1999) added 18 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals respectively. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Nuggets' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Airs moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Giants. Defending champion Nuggets keep the second position with five games lost.
Top scorers:
Nuggets: S.Timmins 23+12reb, T.Withers 20+7reb+1ast, M.Harris 18+9reb+5ast, T.Webster 16+7reb+5ast, N.McCullough 13+5reb+5ast, A.Jack 4+5reb
Airs: K.Ray 29+6reb+2ast, A.Hilliard 16+9reb+4ast, R.Rodger 16+7reb+2ast, A.Fletcher 11+3reb+2ast, D.Carlin 11+8reb+1ast, Q.Bailey 10+7reb+1ast

Hawks - Jets 106-81

Rather predictable result in Tamatea where seventh ranked Hawks (7-10) smashed 9th ranked Jets (5-12) 106-81 on Saturday. Hawks made 19-of-21 free shots (90.5 percent) during the game. They shot the lights out from three sinking 17 long-distance shots on high 56.7 percentage. Hawks looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was the former international forward Jordan Ngatai (196-1993, college: BYU-Hawaii) who scored 47 points (!!!) and 4 assists (went 11 for 11 at the free throw line !!!). The former international forward Hyrum Harris (198-1996, college: Umpqua CC) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Hawks players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Danny Pippen (206-1997, college: Kent St.) who recorded 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import guard Javion Blake (191-1997, college: Washburn, agency: Haylett Sports) added 24 points and 5 assists respectively. 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 moved-up to sixth place. Jets lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Sharks.
Top scorers:
Jets: J.Blake 24+2reb+5ast, D.Pippen 22+6reb+5ast, J.Liam 11, M.Heron 9+6reb+3ast, S.Campbell 5+4reb+1ast, M.Jones 3+2reb+1ast
Hawks: J.Ngatai 47+3reb+4ast, D.Raukawa 17+4reb+1ast, H.Harris 12+10reb+4ast, I.Lee 10+6reb+4ast, B.McBride 10+3reb+1ast, J.Hunt 6+5reb+4ast

Giants - Sharks 75-99

There was a minor upset in Stoke where 7th ranked Giants (6-11) were rolled over by tenth ranked Sharks (5-12) 99-75 on Sunday. Sharks looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Josh Cunningham (203-1996, college: Dayton) who scored 34 points (!!!) and 6 steals. His fellow American import guard Jeremy Kendle (186-1988, college: Bellarmine) chipped in a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 assists. Four Sharks players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was center Callum McRae (216-1999, college: Sacramento St.) who recorded 27 points and 7 rebounds and forward Samuel Dempster (194-1990) added 10 points and 12 rebounds respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Sharks moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Jets. Loser Giants keep the seventh position with 11 games lost. They share it with Airs.
Top scorers:
Giants: C.McRae 27+7reb+1ast, M.Alexander 11+2reb+6ast, S.Dempster 10+12reb+2ast, T.Marsh 5+3reb+2ast, N.Trathen 5+4reb, R.Bensemann 5+1ast
Sharks: J.Cunningham 34+4reb+2ast, J.Kendle 19+4reb+11ast, B.Inger 14+6reb+2ast, G.Anticevich 13+9reb+2ast, H.Sione 8+1reb+1ast, A.Pledger 4+3reb+2ast

Tuatara - Saints 93-102

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Tuatara (13-4) in Auckland on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by fifth ranked Saints (8-9) 102-93. It ended at the same time the ten-game winning streak of Tuatara. Saints made 24-of-29 free shots (82.8 percent) during the game. They also forced 23 Tuatara turnovers. It was a great evening for Australian guard Kyle Adnam (186-1993) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points and 4 assists. The former international guard Izayah Mauriohooho-Leafa (188-1996, college: Sacramento St.) helped adding 16 points and 6 assists. The best for the losing side was Australian swingman Cameron Gliddon (197-1989, college: CUI) with 15 points and 9 rebounds and the former international power forward Robert Loe (211-1991, college: St.Louis) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 11 rebounds. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Tuatara's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Saints maintains fifth place with 8-9 record. Tuatara at the other side still keeps top position with four games lost.
Top scorers:
Tuatara: R.Te Rangi 18+2reb+4ast, C.Gliddon 15+9reb+2ast, J.Weeks 14+2reb+4ast, K.Perrott-Hunt 13+1reb+2ast, J.Lawson 13+5reb, R.Loe 12+11reb+1ast
Saints: K.Adnam 24+2reb+4ast, E.Thomas 17+6reb, I.Mauriohooho-Le'afa 16+1reb+6ast, I.Mucius 15+6reb+1ast, T.Smith-Milner 10+6reb+2ast, T.Vodanovich 9+6reb+2ast



Tags : KYLE ADNAM, WELLINGTON SAINTS, NEW ZEALAND BASKETBALL