NBL Round 6 (Regular Season): Hawks defeat Whai

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Tauranga (4-2) at the home court on Saturday night. Hosts were defeated by seventh ranked Hawks (4-2) 86-74. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Tauranga. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Hawks dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Tauranga's 38. Hawks had a 34-22 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a good game for Australian swingman Daniel Grida (195-1998) who led his team to a victory with 30 points and 7 rebounds. American forward Darnell Cowart (203-1998, college: Murray St.) contributed with 15 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. Australian swingman Sean Bairstow (203-2000, college: VCU) replied with 15 points and 8 rebounds for Whai. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Hawks moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Whai. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Bulls (4-2) against eighth ranked Saints (3-2) on Thursday night. Visiting Bulls were defeated by Saints in a tough game in Wellington 72-78. Australian guard Shaun Bruce (192-1991) scored 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Nick Muszynski chipped in 14 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was naturalized American forward Marcel Jones (203-1985, college: Oregon St.) with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Bulls' coach Sebastian Gleim rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Saints moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Jets and Nuggets. Bulls at the other side keep the second position with two games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Saints will play against Sharks (#10) in Southland in the next round. Bulls will play at home against the league's leader Rams (#1) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Rams (4-1) which played road game in New Plymouth against their close opponent Airs (4-2). Fourth ranked Rams had an easy win 87-71. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Taylor Britt notched a double-double by scoring 11 points, 6 rebounds and 13 assists to lead the effort. Rams' coach Quinn Clinton used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Even a double-double of 19 points and 15 rebounds by Harrison Froling did not help to save the game for Airs. Rams have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader. Loser Airs dropped to the second place with two games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Rams will meet Bulls (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Airs will have a break next round.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 6: Nuggets smashed Panthers on the road 98-77. Sharks lost to Tuatara on its own court 92-102. Airs managed to outperform Giants in New Plymouth 108-93.



Airs - Rams 71-87

An interesting game for Rams (4-1) which played road game in New Plymouth against their close opponent Airs (4-2). Fourth ranked Rams had an easy win 87-71. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Rams looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. International guard Taylor Britt (187-1996, college: Southeast CC) notched a double-double by scoring 11 points, 6 rebounds and 13 assists to lead the effort and the former international forward Tohi Smith-Milner (205-1995, college: Polk State CC) supported him with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Rams' coach Quinn Clinton used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Even a double-double of 19 points and 15 rebounds by Australian center Harrison Froling (210-1998, college: Marquette) did not help to save the game for Airs. Carlin Davison (197-2003) added 18 points and 12 rebounds. Five Rams and four Airs players scored in double figures. Rams have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader. Loser Airs dropped to the second place with two games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Rams will meet Bulls (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Airs will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Airs: H.Froling 19+15reb+2ast, C.Davison 18+12reb+3ast, A.Fletcher 16+5reb+1ast, J.Andrew 12+8reb, O.Foxwell 2+6ast, Q.Bailey 2+3reb+1ast
Rams: T.Isaac 18+3reb+3ast, M.Darling 14+6reb+2ast, T.Smith-Milner 13+9reb+2ast, K.Bowen 13+9reb, T.Britt 11+6reb+13ast, K.Isaac 7+3reb+3ast

Saints - Bulls 78-72

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Bulls (4-2) against eighth ranked Saints (3-2) on Thursday night. Visiting Bulls were defeated by Saints in a tough game in Wellington 72-78. Saints forced 20 Bulls turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. Australian guard Shaun Bruce (192-1991) scored 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American center Nick Muszynski (211-1998, college: Belmont) chipped in 14 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was naturalized American forward Marcel Jones (203-1985, college: Oregon St.) with 15 points and 6 rebounds and German center Till Gloger (204-1993, college: Maine) scored 19 points. Four Saints and five Bulls players scored in double figures. Bulls' coach Sebastian Gleim rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Saints moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Jets and Nuggets. Bulls at the other side keep the second position with two games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Saints will play against Sharks (#10) in Southland in the next round. Bulls will play at home against the league's leader Rams (#1) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Bulls: T.Gloger 19+3reb, M.Jones 15+6reb+2ast, T.Hardy 11+2reb+5ast, F.Cameron 10+6reb+5ast, T.Cameron 10+5reb+3ast, D.Okwera 4+8reb+2ast
Saints: S.Bruce 21+6reb+5ast, N.Marshall 14+8reb+2ast, N.Muszynski 14+10reb+1ast, H.Harris 14+6reb+5ast, R.Dougall-Mita 6+3reb, A.Pilcher 4+1ast

Panthers - Nuggets 77-98

No shocking result in a game when eighth ranked Nuggets (3-2) crushed bottom-ranked Panthers (0-5) in Auckland 98-77 on Friday. Nuggets looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Panthers' players. Dominican forward Jose Perez (196-1998, college: Arizona St.) notched a double-double by scoring 18 points, 9 rebounds and 13 assists to lead the effort and American guard Donald Carey (196-1999, college: Maryland) supported him with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Four Nuggets players scored in double figures. Even 29 points by point guard Jaylen Gerrand (183-1996, college: Umpqua CC) did not help to save the game for Panthers. American point guard Alex Robinson (185-1995, college: TCU) added 18 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Nuggets have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Jets and Saints. Newly promoted Panthers still closes the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Giants. Nuggets will meet at home Tuatara (#9) in the next round. Panthers will play against Sharks and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Panthers: J.Gerrand 29+3reb+1ast, A.Robinson 18+8reb+7ast, T.Singh 11+6reb+1ast, D.Matakatea 6+2reb, L.Henry 5+7reb+2ast, A.Blessen 4+3reb+2ast
Nuggets: D.Carey 22+6reb+6ast, J.Janssen 19+6reb, J.Perez 18+9reb+13ast, J.Sebree 18+2reb+1ast, C.Martin 8+2reb+3ast, P.Freeman 5+3reb

Sharks - Tuatara 92-102

Everything could happen in Southland at the game between two tied teams. Both tenth ranked Tuatara and 9th ranked Sharks had identical 1-3 record. But Sharks were not able to use a home court advantage and lost to the opponent from Auckland 102-92 on Friday night. Tuatara made 19-of-21 free shots (90.5 percent) during the game. Tuatara outrebounded Sharks 43-32 including 32 on the defensive glass. Tuatara looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Australian guard William Hickey (194-1999) notched a triple-double by scoring 29 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists to lead the effort and American guard Charles Pride (193-1999, college: St.Bonaventure) supported him with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Four Tuatara players scored in double figures. Even 35 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds by American forward Keylan Boone (203-2000, college: UNLV, agency: Interperformances) did not help to save the game for Sharks. His fellow American import forward Josiah Allick (203-2001, college: Nebraska) added 19 points and 7 rebounds. Tuatara (2-3) moved-up to ninth place. Sharks lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the tenth position with four games lost. Tuatara will meet higher ranked Nuggets (#6) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Sharks will play against Saints (#7) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Sharks: K.Boone 35+8reb+2ast, J.Allick 19+7reb+2ast, C.Asberry 16+6reb+3ast, A.Burton 9+5reb+2ast, T.Cooper 7+2reb+3ast, J.Helu 4+1reb+3ast
Tuatara: W.Hickey 29+11reb+11ast, C.Pride 19+13reb+2ast, R.Loe 16+4reb+3ast, T.Vodanovich 14+2reb, B.Tuach 9+6reb+1ast, D.Wilkie 6+2reb+2ast

Giants - Airs 93-108

Very predictable result when fourth ranked Airs (4-2) won against bottom-ranked Giants (0-5) in Nelson 108-93 on Saturday. Airs made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Australian guard Owen Foxwell (188-2003) notched a double-double by scoring 18 points, 6 rebounds, 13 assists and 6 steals to lead the effort and American Armon Fletcher (196-1995, college: SIU) supported him with 25 points and 7 rebounds. Airs' coach Sam Mackinnon used a ten-player rotation saving starting five for next games. Even 20 points by the former international forward Hayden Jones (197-2007) did not help to save the game for Giants. Australian forward Callum Dalton (206-2000) added 11 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Airs moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Giants still closes the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Panthers. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Giants: H.Jones 20+1reb+2ast, B.Johnson 14+6reb, J.Matthews 13+1reb+2ast, L.Crate 13+1reb, C.Dalton 11+5reb+6ast, A.McNaught 10+2reb+7ast
Airs: A.Fletcher 25+7reb+3ast, H.Froling 22+3reb+2ast, J.Andrew 20+3reb+1ast, O.Foxwell 18+6reb+13ast, C.Davison 12+5reb+3ast, Q.Bailey 6+5reb+1ast

Whai - Hawks 74-86

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Tauranga (4-2) at the home court on Saturday night. Hosts were defeated by seventh ranked Hawks (4-2) 86-74. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Tauranga. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Hawks dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Tauranga's 38. Hawks had a 34-22 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a good game for Australian swingman Daniel Grida (195-1998) who led his team to a victory with 30 points and 7 rebounds. American forward Darnell Cowart (203-1998, college: Murray St.) contributed with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. Australian swingman Sean Bairstow (203-2000, college: VCU) replied with 15 points and 8 rebounds and Nigerian power forward Talib Zanna (206-1990, college: Pittsburgh, agency: Diamond Sports) added 13 points and 13 rebounds in the effort for Whai. Four Hawks and five Whai players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Hawks moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Whai. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Whai: S.Bairstow 15+8reb+3ast, K.Perrott-Hunt 15+3reb+1ast, C.Jones 14+6reb+4ast, T.Zanna 13+13reb, C.Hopoi 10+5reb+2ast, J.Bezzant 7+4reb+1ast
Hawks: D.Grida 30+7reb+2ast, J.Ball 18+3reb+3ast, W.Swaka 16+3reb+1ast, D.Cowart 15+12reb+8ast, C.Scott 3+1reb+2ast, J.Murphy 2+1reb