NBL Round 12 (Regular Season): Tuatara is defeated by Rams

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Tuatara (12-3) in Auckland on Sunday night. Hosts were edged by second ranked Rams (11-2) 86-83. It ended at the same time the ten-game winning streak of Tuatara. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. They outrebounded Tuatara 44-32 including 31 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of international guard Taylor Britt (187-1996, college: Southeast CC) who helped to win the game recording 25 points and 6 assists and Australian Lachlan Olbrich (208-2003, college: UC Riverside) who added 14 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. Rams' coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was the former international Corey Webster (188-1988, college: Lambuth) with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Rams have an impressive ten-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position with 11-2 record behind leader Tuatara. Tuatara at the other side still keeps top place with three games lost. Rams are looking forward to face Jets (#10) in Palmerston North in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tuatara will play at home against Whai (#9) and is hoping to win this game.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Airs (9-4) against fourth ranked Saints (10-4) on Saturday night. Host Airs were defeated by Saints in New Plymouth 96-85. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Airs. The winners were led by the former international forward Tohi Smith-Milner (205-1995, college: Polk State CC) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 28 points and 16 rebounds and Izayah Mauriohooho-Leafa supported him with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 11 assists. Even 19 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists by guard Carlin Davison (196-2003) did not help to save the game for Airs. Saints moved-up to third place. Airs at the other side dropped to the fourth position with four games lost. They share it with Bulls. Saints will play against Bulls (#5) in Pukekohe in the next round. Airs will play on the road against Sharks in Southland and hope to get back on the winning track.
The game in Dunedin supposed to be also quite interesting. 6th ranked Hawks (6-8) played at the court of eighth ranked Nuggets (6-8). Nuggets smashed Hawks 108-86 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was Ben Henshall who scored 31 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Isaiah Moore who recorded 23 points, 5 rebounds and 5 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 moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Hawks and Giants. Nuggets will meet at home higher ranked Airs (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Hawks will play against Giants and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 12: Jets were destroyed by Saints on the opponent's court 122-88. Bottom-ranked Sharks unfortunately lost to Hawks in a home game 99-100. Giants managed to beat Whai on the road 84-73. Jets were defeated by Bulls on its own court 92-99.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 35 points (!!!) by Mustapha Heron of Jets.



Saints - Jets 122-88

Very expected game in Wellington where 10th ranked Jets (1-13) were crushed by fourth ranked Saints (10-4) 122-88 on Wednesday. Saints looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was Australian guard Ben Ayre (184-1995, college: Newman) who scored 35 points (!!!) and 7 assists. The former international forward Tohi Smith-Milner (205-1995, college: Polk State CC) chipped in a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was power forward James Moors (206-2000, college: Colorado St.) who recorded 30 points and 6 rebounds and American guard Mustapha Heron (196-1997, college: St.John's) added 17 points respectively. Five Saints and four Jets players scored in double figures. 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 moved-up to third place. Jets lost twelfth consecutive game. They keep the tenth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Sharks. Saints will meet at home Bulls (#5) in the next round. Jets will play against the league's second-placed Rams (#2) in Christchurch and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Jets: J.Moors 30+6reb+1ast, M.Heron 17+3reb+3ast, L.Judd 11+6reb+1ast, C.Scott 10+3reb+3ast, K.Whitney 10+7reb+2ast, Q.Lane 5+3reb+8ast
Saints: B.Ayre 35+2reb+7ast, I.Mauriohooho-Le'afa 21+5reb+5ast, T.Smith-Milner 21+11reb+2ast, R.Dougall-Mita 15+8reb, T.Samuel 10+6reb+2ast, S.Gold 7+4reb

Sharks - Hawks 99-100

Very predictable result in Southland where sixth ranked Hawks (6-8) edged bottom-ranked Sharks (1-13) 100-99 on Thursday. Strangely Sharks outrebounded Hawks 44-26 including 31 on the defensive glass. They shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 54.2 percentage. Hawks looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Isaiah Moore (185-2000, college: USA) who had a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 assists. The other American import forward Josh Roberts (205-1999, college: Manhattan) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks. At the other side the best for losing team was center Callum McRae (216-1999, college: Sacramento St.) who recorded a double-double by scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists and American guard Cooper Robb (185-1999, college: EKU) added 16 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists respectively. Four Hawks and five Sharks players scored in double figures. Hawks maintains sixth position with 6-8 record, which they share with Giants and Nuggets. Loser Sharks stay at the bottom place with 13 games lost. They share the position with Jets. Hawks will meet at home Giants (#8) in the next round. Sharks will play against Airs and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Sharks: A.Burton 21+1reb+3ast, B.Inger 18+13reb, C.McRae 18+10reb+8ast, C.Asberry 16+2reb+3ast, C.Robb 16+10reb+5ast, B.Hall 6+3reb+2ast
Hawks: I.Moore 24+4reb+10ast, L.Sutherland 24+3reb, K.Rasmussen 20+2reb+4ast, J.Roberts 14+12reb+1ast, J.Ngatai 9+4reb+8ast, J.Ball 6+1reb

Whai - Giants 73-84

Everything could happen in Tauranga at the game between two tied teams. Both ninth ranked Giants and 7th ranked Whai had identical 5-8 record. But Whai was not able to use a home court advantage and was defeated by the opponent from Stoke 84-73 on Friday night. The best player for the winners was the former international forward Daniel Fotu (203-1999, college: SMC) who scored 23 points. American guard Kobe Langley (185-2000, college: UNCG) chipped in 15 points and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Ira Lee (203-1998, college: Arizona) who recorded a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds and the former international guard Jayden Bezzant (188-1996, college: NW Nazarene) added 17 points respectively. Four Whai players scored in double figures. Giants (6-8) moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Hawks and Nuggets. Newly promoted Whai dropped to the ninth position with nine games lost. Giants will meet Hawks (#7) in the next round. Whai will play against the league's leader Tuatara in Auckland and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Whai: I.Lee 18+12reb+1ast, J.Bezzant 17+3reb+2ast, D.Holland 15+3reb+3ast, P.Carr 13+5reb+1ast, T.Tuhi Lewis 7, D.Brooke 3+2reb
Giants: D.Fotu 23+3reb, K.Langley 15+4reb+4ast, D.Grida 14+5reb, T.Akwuba 9+10reb, S.Dempster 8+9reb+1ast, H.Jones 7+2reb

Nuggets - Hawks 108-86

The game in Dunedin supposed to be also quite interesting. 6th ranked Hawks (6-8) played at the court of eighth ranked Nuggets (6-8). Nuggets smashed Hawks 108-86 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was Australian swingman Ben Henshall (195-2004) who scored 31 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. American Kimani Lawrence (202-1998, college: Arizona St.) chipped in 26 points and 7 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Isaiah Moore (185-2000, college: USA) who recorded 23 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and his fellow American import forward Josh Roberts (205-1999, college: Manhattan) added 21 points and 11 rebounds respectively. Five Nuggets and four Hawks players scored in double figures. 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 moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Hawks and Giants. Nuggets will meet at home higher ranked Airs (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Hawks will play against Giants and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hawks: I.Moore 23+5reb+5ast, J.Roberts 21+11reb, L.Sutherland 17+8reb+2ast, K.Rasmussen 15+3reb+1ast, J.Ngatai 7+3reb+1ast, J.Ball 2+1reb+1ast
Nuggets: B.Henshall 31+8reb+5ast, K.Lawrence 26+7reb+3ast, J.Andrew 16+7reb, D.Russo-Nance 11+5reb+3ast, Z.Darko-Kelly 11+12reb+5ast, D.Knox 8+3reb+1ast

Airs - Saints 85-96

Very important is a home loss of third ranked Airs (9-4) against fourth ranked Saints (10-4) on Saturday night. Host Airs were defeated by Saints in New Plymouth 96-85. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Airs. Saints players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. Airs were plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. The winners were led by the former international forward Tohi Smith-Milner (205-1995, college: Polk State CC) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 28 points and 16 rebounds and international guard Izayah Mauriohooho-Leafa (188-1996, college: Sacramento St.) supported him with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 11 assists. Even 19 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists by guard Carlin Davison (196-2003) did not help to save the game for Airs. Australian power forward Samson Froling (212-2000, college: Creighton) added 15 points and 13 rebounds. Five Saints and four Airs players scored in double figures. Saints moved-up to third place. Airs at the other side dropped to the fourth position with four games lost. They share it with Bulls. Saints will play against Bulls (#5) in Pukekohe in the next round. Airs will play on the road against Sharks in Southland and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Airs: C.Davison 19+8reb+5ast, S.Froling 15+13reb, M.McCarron 13+9reb+6ast, T.Cameron 12+2reb, E.Minnie 8+1reb, D.Raukawa 7+1reb+1ast
Saints: T.Smith-Milner 28+16reb+3ast, T.Samuel 22+6reb+2ast, I.Mauriohooho-Le'afa 16+7reb+11ast, M.Benlevi 15+6reb, B.Ayre 11+8ast, L.Mayen 4+4reb

Tuatara - Rams 83-86

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Tuatara (12-3) in Auckland on Sunday night. Hosts were edged by second ranked Rams (11-2) 86-83. It ended at the same time the ten-game winning streak of Tuatara. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. They outrebounded Tuatara 44-32 including 31 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of international guard Taylor Britt (187-1996, college: Southeast CC) who helped to win the game recording 25 points and 6 assists and Australian Lachlan Olbrich (208-2003, college: UC Riverside) who added 14 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. Rams' coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was the former international Corey Webster (188-1988, college: Lambuth) with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and Australian swingman Cameron Gliddon (197-1989, college: CUI) scored 19 points and 6 rebounds. Four Tuatara players scored in double figures. Rams have an impressive ten-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position with 11-2 record behind leader Tuatara. Tuatara at the other side still keeps top place with three games lost. Rams are looking forward to face Jets (#10) in Palmerston North in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tuatara will play at home against Whai (#9) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Tuatara: C.Gliddon 19+6reb+2ast, R.Te Rangi 17+2reb, C.Webster 16+7reb+6ast, T.Vodanovich 15+6reb+2ast, C.Dalton 7+2reb, R.Loe 7+8reb+5ast
Rams: T.Britt 25+4reb+6ast, L.Olbrich 14+8reb+2ast, M.Darling 11+2reb, K.Buffen 11+10reb, W.Brown 9+7reb+2ast, K.Isaac 7+6reb

Jets - Bulls 92-99

Everything went according to plan in Palmerston North where fifth ranked Bulls (9-4) beat 10th ranked Jets (1-13) 99-92 on Sunday. Bulls dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Jets' 46. They outrebounded Jets 44-28 including a 18-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American guard Luther Muhammad (190-1999, college: Arizona St.) who scored 26 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. The former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-1997, college: Washington) chipped in 22 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Mustapha Heron (196-1997, college: St.John's) who recorded 35 points (!!!) and power forward James Moors (206-2000, college: Colorado St.) added 19 points and 9 rebounds respectively. Five Bulls and four Jets players scored in double figures. Bulls moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Airs. Jets lost twelfth consecutive game. They keep the tenth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Sharks. Bulls will meet higher ranked Saints (#3) in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Jets will play against the league's second-placed Rams (#2) in Christchurch and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Jets: M.Heron 35+4reb+2ast, J.Moors 19+9reb+2ast, L.Judd 16+5reb+1ast, K.Whitney 12+3reb+1ast, C.Scott 5+2reb+3ast, Q.Lane 5+4reb+8ast
Bulls: L.Muhammad 26+8reb+8ast, S.Timmins 22+9reb+4ast, E.Rusbatch 19+1reb+2ast, L.Skinner 14+10reb+1ast, I.Davidson 12+6reb, J.Scott 4+3reb