NBL Round 9 (Regular Season): Saints defeat Bulls in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 9 in the NBL took place in Pukekohe. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of second-best Bulls (7-3) to fifth ranked Saints (7-2) 87-85 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Bulls. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Australian guard Ben Ayre (184-1995, college: Newman) stepped up and scored 30 points for the winners and the former international forward Hyrum Harris (204-1996, college: Umpqua CC) chipped in 17 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. The best for the losing side was American guard Luther Muhammad (190-1999, college: Arizona St.) with 19 points and 8 assists. Saints moved-up to second place, which they share with Rams. Bulls at the other side dropped to the fourth position with three games lost. They share it with Airs. Saints is looking forward to face league's second-placed Rams in Christchurch in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Bulls will play at home against Giants and are hoping to win this game.
NBL top team - Tuatara (10-2) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat seventh ranked Nuggets (4-6) in Dunedin 87-78. The former international Corey Webster (188-1988, college: Lambuth) nailed 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and Robert Loe accounted for 19 points and 11 rebounds. American Kimani Lawrence (202-1998, college: Arizona St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds for Nuggets in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tuatara have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. They maintain first place with 10-2 record. Nuggets lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with six games lost. They share it with Giants and Whai. Tuatara will play against Giants (#9) in Stoke in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Nuggets will play on the road against Sharks in Southland and hope to get back on the winning track.
NBL top team - Tuatara (10-2) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed eleventh ranked Sharks (0-11) in Southland 97-74. The best player for the winners was Robert Loe who had a double-double by scoring 29 points and 10 rebounds. Tuatara's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. At the other side the best for losing team was Caleb Asberry who recorded 16 points and 7 rebounds. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for Tuatara. They maintain first place with 10-2 record. Sharks lost their eleventh game in a row. They still close the standings with 11 games lost. Tuatara will meet at home Giants (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Sharks will play against Nuggets and hope to get finally their first victory.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 9: Bulls destroyed Hawks on the opponent's court 101-79. Rams outscored Whai in a home game 96-76. Jets were rolled over Airs on the road 108-70. Giants were defeated by Whai on its own court 69-83.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 25 points and 12 rebounds by Phil Carr of Whai.



Hawks - Bulls 79-101

Very expected game in Tamatea where 6th ranked Hawks (4-5) were crushed by second ranked Bulls (7-3) 101-79 on Wednesday. Bulls dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Hawks' 36. They outrebounded Hawks 48-36 including 35 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was the former international forward Isaac Davidson (198-1997, college: Sonoma St.) who scored 30 points. American guard Luther Muhammad (190-1999, college: Arizona St.) chipped in 25 points and 8 rebounds. Bulls' coach Sebastian Gleim felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Isaiah Moore (185-2000, college: USA) who recorded 33 points (!!!) and the former international forward Jordan Ngatai (200-1993, college: BYU-Hawaii) added 25 points and 5 rebounds (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) respectively. Despite that victory Bulls went down to fourth position due to points difference, which they share with Airs. Loser Hawks keep the sixth place with five games lost. Bulls will meet at home Giants (#9) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Hawks will play against Airs in New Plymouth and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hawks: I.Moore 33+4reb+3ast, J.Ngatai 25+5reb+2ast, L.Sutherland 13+7reb+3ast, J.Roberts 5+16reb+1ast, J.Ball 3+1ast, T.Lavery 0
Bulls: I.Davidson 30+4reb+2ast, L.Muhammad 25+8reb+2ast, J.Scott 17+5reb+5ast, E.Rusbatch 9+6reb+1ast, S.Timmins 6+12reb+4ast, C.Vano 6+1reb

Nuggets - Tuatara 78-87

NBL top team - Tuatara (10-2) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat seventh ranked Nuggets (4-6) in Dunedin 87-78. Tuatara outrebounded Nuggets 49-38 including 36 on the defensive glass. The former international Corey Webster (188-1988, college: Lambuth) nailed 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and the former international power forward Robert Loe (211-1991, college: St.Louis) accounted for 19 points and 11 rebounds. American Kimani Lawrence (202-1998, college: Arizona St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds and guard Dontae Russo-Nance (190-2005) added 14 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals respectively for Nuggets in the defeat. Four Tuatara and five Nuggets players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tuatara have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. They maintain first place with 10-2 record. Nuggets lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with six games lost. They share it with Giants and Whai. Tuatara will play against Giants (#9) in Stoke in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Nuggets will play on the road against Sharks in Southland and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Nuggets: Z.Darko-Kelly 18+5reb+1ast, K.Lawrence 16+10reb+1ast, D.Russo-Nance 14+7reb+5ast, B.Henshall 11+4reb+4ast, J.Andrew 10+7reb+1ast, R.Coman 6+1reb
Tuatara: C.Webster 22+8reb+4ast, R.Loe 19+11reb+2ast, T.Vodanovich 15+12reb+2ast, R.Te Rangi 15+4reb+2ast, C.Gliddon 9+5reb+2ast, C.Dalton 4+7reb+1ast

Rams - Whai 96-76

Very predictable result in Christchurch where third ranked Rams (7-2) smashed 9th ranked Whai (4-6) 96-76 on Friday. Rams made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. Rams outrebounded Whai 47-31 including 32 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was Australian Lachlan Olbrich (208-2003, college: UC Riverside) who had a double-double by scoring 16 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists. American forward KJ Buffen (203-2000, college: UAB) chipped in 16 points and 8 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international guard Jayden Bezzant (188-1996, college: NW Nazarene) who recorded 21 points and American forward Phil Carr (206-1995, college: Morgan St.) added 11 points and 7 rebounds respectively. Five Rams and four Whai players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Rams. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with Saints. Newly promoted Whai dropped to the seventh position with six games lost. They share it with Giants and Nuggets. Rams will meet Saints (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Whai will play against Jets (#10) in Palmerston North and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Whai: J.Bezzant 21+1reb+3ast, T.Tuhi Lewis 13+3reb+1ast, D.Holland 12+3reb+1ast, P.Carr 11+7reb, C.Hopoi 5+5reb, D.Brooke 5+5reb+2ast
Rams: M.Walker 19+1reb+2ast, K.Buffen 16+8reb+1ast, L.Olbrich 16+14reb+5ast, T.Britt 13+4reb+7ast, W.Brown 12+8reb+1ast, M.Darling 6+5reb+1ast

Sharks - Tuatara 74-97

NBL top team - Tuatara (10-2) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed eleventh ranked Sharks (0-11) in Southland 97-74. Tuatara looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 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 29 points and 10 rebounds. The former international Corey Webster (188-1988, college: Lambuth) chipped in a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 assists. Tuatara's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Caleb Asberry (190-2000, college: OK State) who recorded 16 points and 7 rebounds and center Callum McRae (216-1999, college: Sacramento St.) added 8 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for Tuatara. They maintain first place with 10-2 record. Sharks lost their eleventh game in a row. They still close the standings with 11 games lost. Tuatara will meet at home Giants (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Sharks will play against Nuggets and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Sharks: A.Burton 19+3reb+1ast, C.Asberry 16+7reb+2ast, S.Telfer 12+4reb, B.Inger 11+10reb+2ast, C.McRae 8+8reb+8ast, M.Lotts 8+5reb+1ast
Tuatara: R.Loe 29+10reb+1ast, T.Vodanovich 20+8reb, C.Webster 20+4reb+13ast, C.Gliddon 10+8reb+4ast, R.Te Rangi 8+2reb+1ast, N.Barrow 4+1ast

Airs - Jets 108-70

Not a big story in a game in New Plymouth where 10th ranked Jets (1-9) were rolled over by fifth ranked Airs (7-3) 108-70 on Saturday. Airs made 26-of-34 free shots (76.5 percent) during the game, while Jets only scored nine points from the stripe. Airs forced 23 Jets turnovers and outrebounded them 51-35 including a 21-10 advantage in offensive rebounds. Airs looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was Australian power forward Samson Froling (212-2000, college: Creighton) who had a double-double by scoring 23 points and 15 rebounds. Guard Carlin Davison (196-2003) chipped in a double-double by scoring 25 points and 11 rebounds. Four Airs players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was power forward James Moors (206-2000, college: Colorado St.) who recorded 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and American guard Mustapha Heron (196-1997, college: St.John's) added 21 points and 5 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. Airs moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Bulls. Jets lost their eighth game in a row. They keep the tenth position with nine games lost. Airs will meet at home Hawks (#6) in the next round. Jets will play against Whai (#7) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Jets: M.Heron 21+5reb, J.Moors 17+9reb+4ast, Q.Lane 9+4reb+5ast, L.Crate 6+3reb, S.Lafaele 6+2reb, C.Scott 5+7reb+2ast
Airs: C.Davison 25+11reb+2ast, S.Froling 23+15reb+3ast, T.Cameron 16+4reb+2ast, F.Cameron 16+6reb+5ast, E.Minnie 7+3reb, D.Raukawa 6+3reb+3ast

Bulls - Saints 85-87

The most exciting game of round 9 in the NBL took place in Pukekohe. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of second-best Bulls (7-3) to fifth ranked Saints (7-2) 87-85 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Bulls. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Australian guard Ben Ayre (184-1995, college: Newman) stepped up and scored 30 points for the winners and the former international forward Hyrum Harris (204-1996, college: Umpqua CC) chipped in 17 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. The best for the losing side was American guard Luther Muhammad (190-1999, college: Arizona St.) with 19 points and 8 assists and the former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-1997, college: Washington) produced a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds. Five Saints and four Bulls players scored in double figures. Saints moved-up to second place, which they share with Rams. Bulls at the other side dropped to the fourth position with three games lost. They share it with Airs. Saints is looking forward to face league's second-placed Rams in Christchurch in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Bulls will play at home against Giants and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Bulls: E.Rusbatch 22+5reb, L.Muhammad 19+4reb+8ast, S.Timmins 19+10reb, J.Scott 17+4reb+5ast, D.Kelman-Poto 5+6reb+2ast, I.Davidson 3
Saints: B.Ayre 30+2reb+2ast, H.Harris 17+7reb+8ast, T.Samuel 16+9reb+2ast, T.Smith-Milner 11+8reb, L.Mayen 10+5reb+1ast, R.Dougall-Mita 3+3reb

Giants - Whai 69-83

There was a small surprise in Stoke where ninth ranked Whai (4-6) beat 6th ranked Giants (4-6) 83-69 on Sunday. Whai had a 34-22 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American forward Phil Carr (206-1995, college: Morgan St.) who had a double-double by scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds. The former international guard Kruz Perrott-Hunt (192-2000, college: S.Dakota) chipped in 19 points and 7 rebounds. Four Whai players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Australian swingman Daniel Grida (195-1998) who recorded 24 points and 8 rebounds and the former international forward Daniel Fotu (203-1999, college: SMC) added 17 points and 8 rebounds respectively. Giants' coach rotated ten players saving starting five for next games. Whai moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Giants and Nuggets. Whai will meet Jets (#10) in the next round. Giants will play against Bulls in Pukekohe and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Giants: D.Grida 24+8reb, D.Fotu 17+8reb+2ast, K.Langley 13+3reb+3ast, S.Dempster 9+6reb, A.McNaught 4+3ast, H.Jones 2
Whai: P.Carr 25+12reb+3ast, K.Perrott-Hunt 19+7reb+1ast, J.Bezzant 18+5reb+1ast, D.Holland 10+7reb+7ast, T.Tuhi Lewis 6+3reb, D.Brooke 5+3reb