NBL Round 12 (Regular Season): Tuatara keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Tuatara as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Tuatara defeated 4th ranked Saints in Auckland 96-88. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Saints. Tuatara made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Zach Riley (196-2003, college: Fordham) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 7 rebounds (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!) and ex-international power forward Robert Loe (211-1991, college: St.Louis) who added 18 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was Australian forward Akech Aliir (204-2000) with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds. Tuatara (11-2) have an impressive six-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Sharks. Defending champion Saints keep the fourth place with four games lost. Saints will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Tuatara will try to continue on its current victory against eleventh ranked Hawks in Tamatea.
Bottom-ranked Hawks managed to get a third victory, breaking the four-game losing streak. This time they won against sixth-ranked Bulls in Tamatea 101-95. The winners were led by the former international guard Keanu Rasmussen (188-2003, college: CBU) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 25 points, 6 rebounds and 15 assists and Daniel Grida supported him with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists (went 10 for 10 at the free throw line !!!). Even a double-double of 25 points and 11 rebounds by American guard Derrin Boyd (190-2000, college: Charleston, agency: One Motive Sports) did not help to save the game for Bulls. Bulls' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Hawks (3-9) moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Giants. Bulls at the other side dropped to the seventh position with eight games lost. Hawks will play against league's leader Tuatara in Auckland in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Bulls will have a break next round.
The game in Dunedin supposed to be also quite interesting. Third ranked Rams (9-3) played at the court of 5th ranked Nuggets (5-7). Rams smashed Nuggets 93-58 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was Tamenang Choh who scored 24 points and 9 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Ethan Rusbatch who recorded 17 points. Nuggets' coach gave up on the game allowing to play twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Rams maintains third position with 9-3 record having just three points less than leader Tuatara. Nuggets lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Whai. Rams will meet at home Whai (#6) in the next round. Nuggets will play against Airs and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 12: Whai lost to Airs on the opponent's court 73-85. Giants unfortunately lost to Sharks in a home game 85-95. Whai managed to beat Jets on the road 96-92.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 23 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists by Isiah Small of Jets.



Airs - Whai 85-73

There was a minor upset in New Plymouth where 7th ranked Tauranga (5-7) was defeated by tenth ranked Airs (4-8) 85-73 on Friday. Airs dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Tauranga's 32. The best player for the winners was power forward James Moors (208-2000, college: Colorado St.) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 12 rebounds. ex-international forward Taane Samuel (200-1999) chipped in 20 points and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international swingman Reuben Te Rangi (198-1994) who recorded 20 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and ex-international guard Jayden Bezzant (188-1996, college: NW Nazarene) added 10 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists respectively. Five Airs and four Whai players scored in double figures. Airs moved-up to eighth place. Loser Tauranga dropped to the fifth position with seven games lost. They share it with Nuggets. Airs will meet higher ranked Nuggets (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Whai will play against Rams in Christchurch and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Whai: R.Te Rangi 20+8reb+4ast, T.Murray 15+5reb, J.Ngatai 14+2reb+1ast, J.Bezzant 10+9reb+7ast, H.Cole 9+1reb, M.Xanda 5+1reb+3ast
Airs: M.James 22+12reb+3ast, T.Samuel 20+3reb+6ast, S.Brandon 14+6reb+1ast, G.Xavier 14+9reb+2ast, C.Aaron 13+1reb+7ast, Q.Bailey 2+2reb+1ast

Giants - Sharks 85-95

Very predictable result in Nelson where second ranked Sharks (11-2) defeated 10th ranked Giants (3-9) 95-85 on Saturday. Sharks looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The best player for the winners was the former international forward Brayden Inger (203-1999) who scored 25 points and 7 rebounds. ex-international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-1997, college: Washington) chipped in 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international guard Kruz Perrott-Hunt (191-2000, college: S.Dakota) who recorded 15 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and ex-international forward Tohi Smith-Milner (205-1995, college: Polk State CC) added 17 points and 7 rebounds respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Sharks have an impressive ten-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Tuatara. Loser Giants keep the tenth place with nine games lost. They share the position with Hawks. Sharks will meet at home Airs (#8) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Giants will play against Jets and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Giants: T.Smith-Milner 17+7reb+3ast, S.Gatling 16+2ast, L.Judd 15+4reb, K.Perrott-Hunt 15+8reb+5ast, D.Samuel 9+9reb+5ast, E.Luukkonen 9+1reb+3ast
Sharks: B.Inger 25+7reb+1ast, T.Samuel 17+6reb+4ast, B.Keylan 15+11reb, A.Caleb 13+2reb+3ast, D.Maxwell 10+1reb+1ast, C.Tobias 8+5reb+1ast

Hawks - Bulls 101-95

Bottom-ranked Hawks managed to get a third victory, breaking the four-game losing streak. This time they won against sixth-ranked Bulls in Tamatea 101-95. Hawks made 26-of-29 charity shots (89.7 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. The winners were led by the former international guard Keanu Rasmussen (188-2003, college: CBU) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 25 points, 6 rebounds and 15 assists and Australian swingman Daniel Grida (197-1998) supported him with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists (went 10 for 10 at the free throw line !!!). Even a double-double of 25 points and 11 rebounds by American guard Derrin Boyd (190-2000, college: Charleston, agency: One Motive Sports) did not help to save the game for Bulls. His fellow American import guard Carter Whitt (190-2002, college: Belmont) added 15 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists and 4 steals. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Bulls' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Hawks (3-9) moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Giants. Bulls at the other side dropped to the seventh position with eight games lost. Hawks will play against league's leader Tuatara in Auckland in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Bulls will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Bulls: D.Boyd 25+11reb+2ast, K.Dominique 20+8reb+4ast, C.Whitt 15+8reb+10ast, R.Kael 15+2reb+1ast, J.Carter 14+12reb+3ast, B.Ellis 6+3reb
Hawks: R.Keanu 25+6reb+15ast, G.Daniel 23+7reb+4ast, B.Alonzo 17+3reb+2ast, M.Jeremy 14+5reb+1ast, J.Chase 11+8reb+1ast, J.Murphy 6+2reb

Nuggets - Rams 58-93

The game in Dunedin supposed to be also quite interesting. Third ranked Rams (9-3) played at the court of 5th ranked Nuggets (5-7). Rams smashed Nuggets 93-58 on Saturday. Rams dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Nuggets' 22 and made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Nuggets 43-31 including 34 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was American-Cameroonian forward Tamenang Choh (196-1998, college: Brown, agency: Helping Ballers) who scored 24 points and 9 rebounds. International forward Walter Brown (196-2003, college: UNLV) chipped in 12 points and 8 assists. Four Rams players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international swingman Ethan Rusbatch (196-1992, college: Lincoln Trail) who recorded 17 points and guard Tyson Thata-Paese (189-2001, agency: Crossover Management) added 12 points respectively. Nuggets' coach gave up on the game allowing to play twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Rams maintains third position with 9-3 record having just three points less than leader Tuatara. Nuggets lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Whai. Rams will meet at home Whai (#6) in the next round. Nuggets will play against Airs and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Nuggets: E.Rusbatch 17+2reb, T.Thata-Paese 12+2reb+1ast, Z.Mckenzie 8+3reb, A.Louis 6+1reb+3ast, M.Isaac 4+4reb+1ast, B.Tuach 4+5reb
Rams: C.Tamenang 24+9reb+1ast, R.Rene 13+6reb+1ast, J.Holmes 12+5reb, B.Walter 12+3reb+8ast, B.Taylor 11+6reb+4ast, A.Jack 9+10reb+1ast

Tuatara - Saints 96-88

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Tuatara as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Tuatara defeated 4th ranked Saints in Auckland 96-88. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Saints. Tuatara made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Zach Riley (196-2003, college: Fordham) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 7 rebounds (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!) and ex-international power forward Robert Loe (211-1991, college: St.Louis) who added 18 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was Australian forward Akech Aliir (204-2000) with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds and international Carlin Davison (197-2003) scored 15 points and 5 assists. Four Tuatara and five Saints players scored in double figures. Tuatara (11-2) have an impressive six-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Sharks. Defending champion Saints keep the fourth place with four games lost. Saints will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Tuatara will try to continue on its current victory against eleventh ranked Hawks in Tamatea.
Top scorers:
Saints: A.Akech 22+11reb+2ast, C.Davison 15+4reb+5ast, I.Le'afa 13+1reb+5ast, E.Pepper 12+4reb+3ast, D.Ingram 11+7reb+1ast, H.Harris 10+6reb+3ast
Tuatara: Z.Riley 26+7reb+3ast, B.Sean 19+8reb+4ast, L.Robert 18+7reb+6ast, V.Thomas 15+2reb+1ast, D.Josh 7+1reb+4ast, D.Wilkie 5+1reb

Jets - Whai 92-96

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 8th ranked Jets' (4-9) home loss to seventh ranked Tauranga (5-7) 92-96 on Sunday. The best player for the winners was the former international forward Jordan Ngatai (198-1993, college: BYU-Hawaii) who scored 25 points and 8 rebounds. ex-international guard Taine Murray (196-2002, college: Virginia) chipped in 17 points. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international guard Tai Webster (193-1995, college: Nebraska) who recorded 37 points (!!!) and 4 assists and American forward Isiah Small (202-1998, college: Texas St.) added 23 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. Five Whai and four Jets players scored in double figures. Jets' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Whai moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Nuggets. Loser Jets dropped to the ninth position with nine games lost. Whai will meet higher ranked Rams (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Jets will play against Giants (#10) in Nelson and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Jets: T.Webster 37+1reb+4ast, I.Small 23+9reb+4ast, P.Jamal 13+12reb+1ast, E.Jr Kazlo 10+6ast, K.Sand 9+4reb+5ast, L.Reuben 0
Whai: N.Jordan 25+8reb+2ast, X.Marsters 17+2reb+1ast, M.Taine 17+3reb+3ast, B.Jayden 16+4reb+3ast, T.Reuben 12+6reb+4ast, K.Saxon 5+6reb