NBL Round 11 (Regular Season): Tuatara defeat Saints in the game between Top 4 teams

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

An interesting game for Tuatara (12-2) which hosted in Auckland 4th placed Saints (8-4). First ranked Tuatara managed to get a 7-point victory 106-99. Tuatara dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Saints' 30 and made 29-of-37 free shots (78.4 percent) during the game, while Saints only scored nine points from the stripe. Tuatara forced 19 Saints turnovers. 28 personal fouls committed by Saints helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The former international forward Thomas Vodanovich (201-1994, college: JMU) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds. The former international Corey Webster (188-1988, college: Lambuth) contributed with 29 points for the winners. International guard Izayah Mauriohooho-Leafa (188-1996, college: Sacramento St.) answered with 35 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 9 assists for Saints. Tuatara have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. They maintain first place with 12-2 record. Saints at the other side keep the fourth position with four games lost. They share it with Bulls. Tuatara are 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. Saints will play on the road against Airs in New Plymouth and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Tauranga was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked Saints (8-4) played at the court of 6th ranked Whai (5-8). Saints defeated Whai 102-90. It was a great evening for Australian guard Ben Ayre (184-1995, college: Newman) who led his team to a victory scoring 22 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Izayah Mauriohooho-Leafa helped adding 27 points and 8 assists. Saints' coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American forward Phil Carr (206-1995, college: Morgan St.) responded with 31 points. Saints maintains fourth place with 8-4 record, which they share with Bulls. Newly promoted Whai dropped to the seventh position with eight games lost. They share it with Giants and Nuggets. Saints will play against higher ranked Airs (#3) in New Plymouth in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Whai will play at home against Giants (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game between 11th ranked Sharks (1-12) and fifth ranked Bulls (8-4) in Southland on Sunday ended with biggest points difference. Guests from Pukekohe outscored Sharks 93-70. It was a quality performance for Luther Muhammad who led the winners and scored 27 points and 6 assists. Bulls' coach Sebastian Gleim felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Callum McRae came up with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists for Sharks in the defeat. Bulls moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Saints. Loser Sharks stay at the bottom position with 12 games lost. Bulls will meet Jets (#10) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Sharks will play against Hawks and hope to win that game.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 11: Hawks beat Giants on the road 89-84. Airs won against Nuggets on its own court 105-95. Hawks unfortunately lost to Rams in Christchurch 84-98. Jets recorded a loss to Nuggets at home 88-99.
The most impressive performance of 11th round was 27 points and 6 rebounds by Kimani Lawrence of Nuggets.



Whai - Saints 90-102

The game in Tauranga was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked Saints (8-4) played at the court of 6th ranked Whai (5-8). Saints defeated Whai 102-90. Saints players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. It was a great evening for Australian guard Ben Ayre (184-1995, college: Newman) who led his team to a victory scoring 22 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. International guard Izayah Mauriohooho-Leafa (188-1996, college: Sacramento St.) helped adding 27 points and 8 assists. Saints' coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American forward Phil Carr (206-1995, college: Morgan St.) responded with 31 points and the other American import forward Ira Lee (203-1998, college: Arizona) scored 11 points and 9 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Saints maintains fourth place with 8-4 record, which they share with Bulls. Newly promoted Whai dropped to the seventh position with eight games lost. They share it with Giants and Nuggets. Saints will play against higher ranked Airs (#3) in New Plymouth in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Whai will play at home against Giants (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Whai: P.Carr 31+4reb+1ast, K.Perrott-Hunt 14+3reb+2ast, J.Bezzant 12+4reb+6ast, I.Lee 11+9reb+3ast, D.Brooke 10+5reb+1ast, D.Holland 9+6reb+6ast
Saints: I.Mauriohooho-Le'afa 27+1reb+8ast, B.Ayre 22+6reb+8ast, T.Smith-Milner 21+9reb+1ast, S.Gold 14+1reb+1ast, M.Benlevi 8+9reb+4ast, T.Samuel 6+1reb+2ast

Giants - Hawks 84-89

There was a small surprise when sixth ranked Hawks (5-7) beat their close opponent Giants (5-8) in Stoke 89-84 on Thursday. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Isaiah Moore (185-2000, college: USA) who led the winners and scored 24 points and 7 assists. The former international forward Jordan Ngatai (200-1993, college: BYU-Hawaii) accounted for 29 points for the winning side. Australian swingman Daniel Grida (195-1998) came up with 18 points and 9 rebounds and the former international forward Daniel Fotu (203-1999, college: SMC) added 17 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Giants in the defeat. Four Hawks and five Giants players scored in double figures. Hawks maintains sixth place with 5-7 record. Loser Giants dropped to the seventh position with eight games lost. They share it with Nuggets and Whai. Hawks will meet Nuggets (#8) in the next round. Giants will play against Whai in Tauranga and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Giants: D.Grida 18+9reb, D.Fotu 17+8reb+1ast, K.Langley 15+1reb+7ast, T.Akwuba 14+9reb+3ast, N.Davidson 10+4reb, H.Jones 6+3reb+1ast
Hawks: J.Ngatai 29+3reb+2ast, I.Moore 24+4reb+7ast, K.Rasmussen 14+4reb+1ast, J.Roberts 10+16reb+1ast, L.Sutherland 8+8reb+1ast, K.Kara 2+1reb

Airs - Nuggets 105-95

Very expected game when 9th ranked Nuggets (5-8) lost to fourth ranked Airs (9-3) in New Plymouth 95-105 on Friday. Airs made 32-of-40 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. It was an exceptional evening for guard Carlin Davison (196-2003) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 11 rebounds. Australian power forward Samson Froling (212-2000, college: Creighton) accounted for 27 points and 7 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) for the winning side. Australian swingman Ben Henshall (195-2004) came up with 31 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) and American Kimani Lawrence (202-1998, college: Arizona St.) added 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Nuggets in the defeat. Five Airs and four Nuggets players scored in double figures. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Airs. They moved-up to third place. Nuggets lost their fifth game in a row. They dropped to the seventh position with eight games lost. They share it with Giants and Whai. Airs will meet at home Saints (#4) in the next round. Nuggets will play against Hawks and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Nuggets: B.Henshall 31+5reb+4ast, K.Lawrence 24+5reb+4ast, J.Andrew 16+8reb, D.Russo-Nance 13+6reb+4ast, Z.Darko-Kelly 9+6reb+3ast, R.Coman 2+1reb
Airs: S.Froling 27+7reb+3ast, C.Davison 27+11reb+1ast, F.Cameron 14+3reb, D.Raukawa 11+1reb+3ast, M.McCarron 11+5reb+9ast, E.Minnie 10+5reb

Tuatara - Saints 106-99

An interesting game for Tuatara (12-2) which hosted in Auckland 4th placed Saints (8-4). First ranked Tuatara managed to get a 7-point victory 106-99. Tuatara dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Saints' 30 and made 29-of-37 free shots (78.4 percent) during the game, while Saints only scored nine points from the stripe. Tuatara forced 19 Saints turnovers. 28 personal fouls committed by Saints helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The former international forward Thomas Vodanovich (201-1994, college: JMU) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds. The former international Corey Webster (188-1988, college: Lambuth) contributed with 29 points for the winners. Five Tuatara players scored in double figures. International guard Izayah Mauriohooho-Leafa (188-1996, college: Sacramento St.) answered with 35 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 9 assists and the former international forward Tohi Smith-Milner (205-1995, college: Polk State CC) added 28 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Saints. Tuatara have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. They maintain first place with 12-2 record. Saints at the other side keep the fourth position with four games lost. They share it with Bulls. Tuatara are 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. Saints will play on the road against Airs in New Plymouth and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Saints: I.Mauriohooho-Le'afa 35+6reb+9ast, T.Smith-Milner 28+9reb, M.Benlevi 18+9reb+2ast, B.Ayre 8+2reb+3ast, S.Gold 6+5reb, T.Samuel 4+3reb+2ast
Tuatara: C.Webster 29+2reb+1ast, C.Gliddon 20+7reb+1ast, T.Vodanovich 19+11reb+3ast, R.Loe 14+5reb+3ast, R.Te Rangi 14+6reb+5ast, C.Dalton 10+2reb

Rams - Hawks 98-84

Rather predictable result when second ranked Rams (10-2) won against 6th ranked Hawks (5-7) in Christchurch 98-84 on Saturday. Rams made 21-of-22 free shots (95.5 percent) during the game. It was an exceptional evening for international guard Taylor Britt (187-1996, college: Southeast CC) who led the winners and scored 25 points and 9 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). American forward KJ Buffen (203-2000, college: UAB, agency: Diamond Sports) accounted for 18 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side. Rams' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Isaiah Moore (185-2000, college: USA) came up with 28 points and 6 assists and naturalized Australian guard Keanu Rasmussen (188-2003, college: CBU) added 17 points respectively for Hawks in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The victory was the ninth consecutive win for Rams. Defending champion maintains second place with 10-2 record having 2 victories less than leader Tuatara. Loser Hawks keep the sixth position with seven games lost. Rams will meet league's leader Tuatara in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Hawks will play against Nuggets (#8) in Dunedin and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hawks: I.Moore 28+3reb+6ast, K.Rasmussen 17+4reb+1ast, J.Ngatai 13+1reb+2ast, L.Sutherland 12+6reb+1ast, J.Roberts 9+12reb, J.Ball 5+1reb+1ast
Rams: T.Britt 25+4reb+9ast, K.Buffen 18+8reb+1ast, M.Walker 18+4reb, M.Darling 13+8reb+1ast, L.Olbrich 8+9reb+3ast, K.Isaac 7

Sharks - Bulls 70-93

The game between 11th ranked Sharks (1-12) and fifth ranked Bulls (8-4) in Southland on Sunday ended with biggest points difference. Guests from Pukekohe outscored Sharks 93-70. Bulls dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Sharks' 28. Bulls forced 24 Sharks turnovers. It was a quality performance for American guard Luther Muhammad (190-1999, college: Arizona St.) who led the winners and scored 27 points and 6 assists. His fellow American import guard Joshua Scott (185-1998, college: Thomas Univ.) accounted for 18 points and 6 assists for the winning side. Bulls' coach Sebastian Gleim felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Center Callum McRae (216-1999, college: Sacramento St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists and American guard Cooper Robb (185-1999, college: EKU) added 19 points and 4 assists respectively for Sharks in the defeat. Bulls moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Saints. Loser Sharks stay at the bottom position with 12 games lost. Bulls will meet Jets (#10) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Sharks will play against Hawks and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Sharks: C.Robb 19+2reb+4ast, C.McRae 16+18reb+4ast, A.Burton 10+1reb+2ast, C.Asberry 8+1reb+1ast, S.Telfer 7, B.Inger 5+6reb
Bulls: L.Muhammad 27+2reb+6ast, J.Scott 18+2reb+6ast, D.Kelman-Poto 13+3reb, I.Davidson 12+6reb+1ast, S.Timmins 9+10reb, L.Skinner 7+9reb+2ast

Jets - Nuggets 88-99

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 10th ranked Jets' (1-11) home loss to ninth ranked Nuggets (5-8) in Palmerston North 88-99 on Sunday. Nuggets looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American Kimani Lawrence (202-1998, college: Arizona St.) who led the winners and scored 27 points and 6 rebounds. His fellow American import guard Zaccheus Darko-Kelly (198-1997, college: Providence, MT) accounted for 19 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side. American guard Mustapha Heron (196-1997, college: St.John's) came up with 26 points and power forward James Moors (206-2000, college: Colorado St.) added 16 points and 10 rebounds respectively for Jets in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Jets' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Nuggets moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Giants and Whai. Jets lost their tenth game in a row. They keep the tenth position with 11 games lost. Nuggets will meet at home higher ranked Hawks (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Jets will play against Bulls (#5) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Jets: M.Heron 26+3reb, J.Moors 16+10reb+1ast, L.Judd 13+8reb, S.Lafaele 10+10reb+1ast, C.Scott 9+3ast, Q.Lane 6+2reb+8ast
Nuggets: K.Lawrence 27+6reb+1ast, Z.Darko-Kelly 19+9reb+3ast, D.Russo-Nance 17+4reb+6ast, B.Henshall 17+7reb+5ast, J.Andrew 8+8reb+2ast, D.Knox 6+2reb+3ast