NBL Round 3 (Regular Season): Bulls keep a leadership position

After 3 rounds played we can already see who rules in the NBL and who belongs to weaker ones. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Bulls defeated Jets in Pukekohe 101-83. Bulls dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Jets' 40. They outrebounded Jets 40-29 including 29 on the defensive glass. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Bulls made 7 blocks. It was a great evening for American guard Luther Muhammad (190-1999, college: Arizona St.) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists. The former international swingman Ethan Rusbatch (196-1992, college: Lincoln Trail) helped adding 22 points and 7 rebounds. Bulls' coach Sebastian Gleim used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was American Troy Baxter Jr (206-1996, college: Morgan St.) with 30 points. Jets will play next round against Giants trying to get back on the winning streak. Bulls will try to continue on its current victory against Nuggets in Dunedin.
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Saints (2-1) in Dunedin. Visitors were defeated by Nuggets (3-0) 105-98. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Zaccheus Darko-Kelly (198-1997, college: Providence, MT) who led the winners and scored 27 points and 8 rebounds. Ben Henshall accounted for 29 points and 6 rebounds. The former international forward Tohi Smith-Milner (205-1995, college: Polk State CC) came up with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 12 rebounds for Saints in the defeat. Nuggets will play against Bulls in Pukekohe in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Saints will play at home against Airs and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Christchurch was also quite interesting. Tuatara (3-2) played at the court of Rams (1-2). Tuatara defeated Rams 111-99 on Sunday. The best player for the winners was Robert Loe who had a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 13 rebounds and 7 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was MJ Walker who recorded 41 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds. Tuatara will meet at home Sharks (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Rams will play against Hawks (#5) in Tamatea and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 3: Hawks won against Jets on the opponent's court 92-89. Giants managed to outperform Tuatara in a home game 88-84. Whai was rolled over Airs on the road 88-55. Winless Sharks were crushed by Saints on its own court 75-100.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 21 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists by Hyrum Harris of Saints.



Jets - Hawks 89-92

Rather expected game in Palmerston North where Jets (1-4) were edged by Hawks (2-1) 92-89 on Thursday. The best player for the winners was American guard Isaiah Moore (185-2000, college: USA) who scored 25 points and 4 assists. Naturalized Australian guard Keanu Rasmussen (188-2003, college: CBU) chipped in 21 points and 6 rebounds. Four Hawks players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American Troy Baxter Jr (206-1996, college: Morgan St.) who recorded a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!) and 11 rebounds and the other American import guard Mustapha Heron (196-1997, college: St.John's) added 24 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. Hawks will meet at home Rams (#7) in the next round. Jets will play against Giants in Stoke and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Jets: T.Baxter Jr. 35+11reb+3ast, M.Heron 24+8reb+4ast, J.Liam 14+8reb+4ast, S.Campbell 6+9reb+3ast, L.Simon 4+8reb+1ast, C.Lachlan 3+4reb
Hawks: I.Moore 25+4reb+4ast, K.Rasmussen 21+6reb+1ast, L.Sutherland 18+4reb+1ast, J.Ngatai 15+9reb+4ast, J.Roberts 6+11reb, K.Kobe 5+1reb

Giants - Tuatara 88-84

There was a surprise result in Stoke where Giants (1-3) defeated Tuatara (3-2) 88-84 on Friday. The best player for the winners was the former international forward Daniel Fotu (203-1999, college: SMC) who had a double-double by scoring 17 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. Australian swingman Daniel Grida (195-1998) chipped in 18 points. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international power forward Robert Loe (211-1991, college: St.Louis) who recorded a double-double by scoring 18 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists and the former international Corey Webster (188-1988, college: Lambuth) added 25 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Giants will meet at home Jets (#10) in the next round. Tuatara will play against Sharks (#11) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tuatara: C.Webster 25+7reb+6ast, R.Loe 18+15reb+5ast, R.Te Rangi 16+7reb+4ast, T.Vodanovich 13+9reb+1ast, F.Reuben 8+1ast, L.Joshua 2
Giants: D.Grida 18+3reb+1ast, D.Fotu 17+12reb+5ast, T.Ingham 16+3reb+1ast, M.Alexander 13+6reb+1ast, K.Langley 8+1reb+3ast, S.Dempster 6+7reb+1ast

Airs - Whai 88-55

Airs used a home court advantage and rolled over the opponent from Tauranga 88-55 on Saturday night. Airs dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Whai's 22. They outrebounded Whai 48-34 including 16 on the offensive glass. The best player for the winners was Australian power forward Samson Froling (212-2000, college: Creighton) who had a double-double by scoring 24 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. Guard Carlin Davison (196-2003) chipped in 20 points and 9 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Phil Carr (206-1995, college: Morgan St.) who recorded 9 points and 13 rebounds and the former international guard Kruz Perrott-Hunt (192-2000, college: S.Dakota) added 9 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. Airs will meet Saints (#6) in the next round. Whai will play against Sharks and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Whai: V.Jackson 14+1reb+1ast, J.Bezzant 13+2reb+1ast, P.Carr 9+13reb+1ast, K.Perrott-Hunt 9+3reb+5ast, D.Holland 7+6reb+1ast, L.Te Tuhi 2+1reb
Airs: S.Froling 24+14reb+4ast, D.Carlin 20+9reb+1ast, F.Cameron 18+6reb+1ast, E.Minnie 8+4reb+1ast, Q.Bailey 6+2reb+1ast, D.Raukawa 5+1reb+3ast

Nuggets - Saints 105-98

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Saints (2-1) in Dunedin. Visitors were defeated by Nuggets (3-0) 105-98. Nuggets dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Saints' 28. Saints were plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Zaccheus Darko-Kelly (198-1997, college: Providence, MT) who led the winners and scored 27 points and 8 rebounds. Australian swingman Ben Henshall (195-2004) accounted for 29 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side. The former international forward Tohi Smith-Milner (205-1995, college: Polk State CC) came up with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 12 rebounds and the former international forward Hyrum Harris (204-1996, college: Umpqua CC) added 16 points, 17 rebounds and 7 assists respectively for Saints in the defeat. Four Nuggets and five Saints players scored in double figures. Nuggets will play against Bulls in Pukekohe in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Saints will play at home against Airs and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Saints: T.Smith-Milner 30+12reb+2ast, H.Harris 16+17reb+7ast, I.Mauriohooho-Le'afa 15+3reb+3ast, L.Mayen 15+2reb+1ast, B.Ayre 13+1reb+9ast, M.Benlevi 6+4reb
Nuggets: H.Ben 29+6reb+1ast, Z.Darko-Kelly 27+8reb+3ast, K.Lawrence 24+5reb+5ast, T.Webster 13+8reb+2ast, A.Jack 8+10reb+1ast, R.Coman 2+4reb

Rams - Tuatara 99-111

The game in Christchurch was also quite interesting. Tuatara (3-2) played at the court of Rams (1-2). Tuatara defeated Rams 111-99 on Sunday. Tuatara outrebounded Rams 41-27 including a 35-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Tuatara shot the lights out from three sinking 18 long-distance shots on high 56.3 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was the former international power forward Robert Loe (211-1991, college: St.Louis) who had a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 13 rebounds and 7 assists. The former international Corey Webster (188-1988, college: Lambuth) chipped in a double-double by scoring 25 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard MJ Walker (196-1998, college: FSU) who recorded 41 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds and international guard Taylor Britt (187-1996, college: Southeast CC) added 18 points and 5 assists respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Tuatara will meet at home Sharks (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Rams will play against Hawks (#5) in Tamatea and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rams: M.Walker 41+5reb+2ast, T.Britt 18+4reb+5ast, B.Walter 12+1reb+2ast, I.Kaia 11+10reb+4ast, T.Fahrensohn 7+6reb+2ast, M.Darling 7
Tuatara: R.Loe 33+13reb+7ast, T.Vodanovich 31+8reb+1ast, C.Webster 25+5reb+10ast, R.Te Rangi 11+7reb+9ast, C.Tukaha 5+1reb, N.Barrow 4+5reb

Bulls - Jets 101-83

Bulls defeated Jets in Pukekohe 101-83. Bulls dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Jets' 40. They outrebounded Jets 40-29 including 29 on the defensive glass. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Bulls made 7 blocks. It was a great evening for American guard Luther Muhammad (190-1999, college: Arizona St.) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists. The former international swingman Ethan Rusbatch (196-1992, college: Lincoln Trail) helped adding 22 points and 7 rebounds. Bulls' coach Sebastian Gleim used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was American Troy Baxter Jr (206-1996, college: Morgan St.) with 30 points and the other American import guard Mustapha Heron (196-1997, college: St.John's) scored 20 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Jets will play next round against Giants trying to get back on the winning streak. Bulls will try to continue on its current victory against Nuggets in Dunedin.
Top scorers:
Jets: T.Baxter Jr. 30+3reb, M.Heron 20+6reb+7ast, J.Liam 11+10reb+1ast, L.Simon 11+5reb+1ast, C.Lachlan 6+3reb, J.Stent 3
Bulls: L.Muhammad 24+5reb+10ast, E.Rusbatch 22+7reb+1ast, S.Timmins 17+7reb+1ast, I.Davidson 15+5reb+1ast, B.Darrell 8+8reb+4ast, N.Kenechukwu 6+6reb

Sharks - Saints 75-100

Everything went according to plan in Southland where Saints (2-1) outscored Sharks (0-3) 100-75 on Monday. Saints forced 23 Sharks turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Sharks' players. The best player for the winners was the former international forward Hyrum Harris (204-1996, college: Umpqua CC) who scored 21 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. International guard Izayah Mauriohooho-Leafa (188-1996, college: Sacramento St.) chipped in 20 points, 5 assists and 5 steals. Five Saints players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American Lagerald Vick (196-1997, college: Kansas) who recorded 32 points and 4 steals and the other American import forward Marcale Lotts (201-1994, college: Canisius) added 9 points and 6 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. Saints will meet at home Airs (#4) in the next round. Sharks will play against Whai (#8) in Tauranga and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Sharks: L.Vick 32+3reb+1ast, M.Lotts 9+6reb+3ast, T.Scott 9+3reb+2ast, C.McRae 8+6reb+3ast, A.Wheeler 7, H.Benjamin 6+3reb+1ast
Saints: H.Harris 21+7reb+8ast, I.Mauriohooho-Le'afa 20+3reb+5ast, B.Ayre 17+2reb+5ast, L.Mayen 15+3reb+2ast, M.Benlevi 10+3reb+3ast, D.Rangimarie 9+2reb