NBL Round 4 (Regular Season): Saints defeat Tuatara

There were just four rounds played in Regular Season of NBL and we can clearly see which teams will fight for top positions and which will try to avoid bottom places. Host teams show no mercy winning all games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Tuatara (4-1) in Wellington on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by sixth ranked Saints (3-2) 90-82. Saints made 24-of-29 free shots (82.8 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Elijah Pepper (193-2001, college: UC Davis) who helped to win the game recording 30 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. International Carlin Davison (197-2003) contributed with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners. Guard Zach Riley (196-2003, college: Fordham) replied with 28 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for Tuatara. Defending champion moved-up to fourth place. Tuatara at the other side dropped to the second position with one game lost. Saints will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tuatara will play on the road against Hawks in Tamatea and is hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Dunedin. Top-ranked Nuggets (4-0) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 10th ranked Jets (1-4) 99-96 on Friday evening. Host team only slightly avoided a big embarassment. Worth to mention a great performance of Haitian-Canadian guard Alain Louis (185-1998, college: Carleton) who helped to win the game recording 15 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists and Ethan Rusbatch who added 23 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American guard Kaden Sand (198-2001, college: Bushnell) responded with 25 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Jets' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Nuggets have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 4-0 record. Jets at the other side keep the tenth place with four games lost. Nuggets will play against Rams (#3) in Christchurch in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Jets will play on the road against Sharks (#7) in Southland to get more than just one victory in their record.
The game in Wellington supposed to be also quite interesting. 5th ranked Airs (3-3) played at the court of sixth ranked Saints (3-2). Saints smashed Airs 111-89 on Thursday. The winners were led by Elijah Pepper who scored that evening 36 points (!!!), 6 assists and 4 steals. Even 16 points and 8 rebounds by Marcel Jones did not help to save the game for Airs. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending champion moved-up to fourth place. Loser Airs keep the fifth position with three games lost. Saints will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Airs will play against Giants (#6) in Nelson and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last two games of round 4 Whai was smashed by Sharks on the road 106-84. Airs won against Bulls on its own court 91-90.



Sharks - Whai 106-84

The game between closely ranked teams ended with sixth ranked Sharks' (2-2) home victory over 7th ranked Tauranga (2-3) in Southland 106-84 on Sunday. Sharks outrebounded Whai 37-20 including a 26-14 advantage in defensive rebounds. Sharks looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The winners were led by American guard Caleb Asberry (191-2000, college: OK State) who scored that evening 29 points and 7 assists and the other American import point guard Rylan Jones (183-2000, college: Samford) supported him with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Sharks players scored in double figures. Even 25 points and 4 assists by the former international guard Taine Murray (196-2002, college: Virginia) did not help to save the game for Whai. Guard Xanda Marsters (188-2006) added 19 points for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Sharks maintains sixth position with 2-2 record, which they share with Giants. Whai lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth place with three games lost. They share the position with Bulls. Sharks will meet at home Jets (#10) in the next round. Whai will play against Bulls and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sharks: A.Caleb 29+2reb+7ast, B.Keylan 18+4reb+1ast, J.Rylan 17+7reb+5ast, T.Cooper 15+7reb+1ast, Q.Webster 9, T.Samuel 9+6reb+7ast
Whai: T.Murray 25+3reb+4ast, M.Xanda 19+2reb+1ast, N.Stoddart 14+2reb+2ast, T.Nicolas 6+3reb, T.Jett 5+1reb+1ast, H.Cole 5+3reb+2ast

Airs - Bulls 91-90

Very expected game when 9th ranked Bulls (2-3) were edged by fifth ranked Airs (3-3) in New Plymouth 91-90 on Monday. However just one-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Airs forced 21 Bulls turnovers. Strangely Bulls outrebounded Airs 43-20 including a 31-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. The winners were led by American guard Aaron Cook (188-1997, college: Georgia) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 18 points, 5 rebounds and 12 assists and Australian forward Luka Vea (198-2004) supported him with 15 points and 5 assists. Even 27 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists 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 Jace Carter (198-2003, college: Texas A&M) added 24 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. Five Airs and four Bulls players scored in double figures. Bulls' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Airs maintains fifth position with 3-3 record. Loser Bulls dropped to the eighth place with three games lost. They share the position with Whai. Airs will meet Giants (#6) in the next round. Bulls will play against Whai in Tauranga and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Airs: C.Aaron 18+5reb+12ast, T.Samuel 15+4reb+1ast, L.Vea 15+1reb+5ast, Q.Bailey 13+1reb, G.Xavier 11+2reb+2ast, M.Jones 10+5reb
Bulls: D.Boyd 27+8reb+4ast, J.Carter 24+9reb, C.Whitt 15+6reb+8ast, R.Kael 11+6reb, B.Ellis 5+3reb+2ast, K.Dominique 4+6reb+2ast

Saints - Tuatara 90-82

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Tuatara (4-1) in Wellington on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by sixth ranked Saints (3-2) 90-82. Saints made 24-of-29 free shots (82.8 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Elijah Pepper (193-2001, college: UC Davis) who helped to win the game recording 30 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. International Carlin Davison (197-2003) contributed with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners. Guard Zach Riley (196-2003, college: Fordham) replied with 28 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international power forward Robert Loe (211-1991, college: St.Louis) added 10 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in the effort for Tuatara. Four Saints and five Tuatara players scored in double figures. Defending champion moved-up to fourth place. Tuatara at the other side dropped to the second position with one game lost. Saints will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tuatara will play on the road against Hawks in Tamatea and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Saints: P.Elijah 30+6reb+5ast, A.Aliir 18+7reb, D.Carlin 14+7reb+9ast, I.Donte 12+1reb+2ast, J.Hunt 9+15reb+3ast, A.Robertson 4+2reb
Tuatara: R.Zach 28+9reb+4ast, C.Johnson 13+4reb+1ast, T.Vodanovich 11+3reb+2ast, R.Loe 10+7reb+6ast, J.Dilling 10+3reb+5ast, I.Krisnan-Cole 4+6reb+1ast

Saints - Airs 111-89

The game in Wellington supposed to be also quite interesting. 5th ranked Airs (3-3) played at the court of sixth ranked Saints (3-2). Saints smashed Airs 111-89 on Thursday. Saints shot 60.8 percent from the field. Saints outrebounded Airs 40-28 including a 35-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. Saints looked well-organized offensively handing out 36 assists comparing to just 20 passes made by Airs' players. The winners were led by American guard Elijah Pepper (193-2001, college: UC Davis) who scored that evening 36 points (!!!), 6 assists and 4 steals and international Carlin Davison (197-2003) supported him with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 13 assists. Even 16 points and 8 rebounds by naturalized American forward Marcel Jones (203-1985, college: Oregon St.) did not help to save the game for Airs. American forward Xavier Green (198-1996, college: Maryland, agency: One Motive Sports) added 20 points and 4 assists for lost side. Both teams had five players each who 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. Defending champion moved-up to fourth place. Loser Airs keep the fifth position with three games lost. Saints will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Airs will play against Giants (#6) in Nelson and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Saints: P.Elijah 36+4reb+6ast, A.Aliir 13+7reb+1ast, J.Hunt 13+8reb+3ast, I.Donte 12+6reb+2ast, D.Carlin 11+7reb+13ast, S.Gold 10+2reb
Airs: X.Green 20+2reb+4ast, B.Quintin 16+4reb+1ast, J.Marcel 16+8reb+3ast, A.Cook 11+3reb+4ast, V.Luka 10+6reb+2ast, S.Taane 9+2reb+3ast

Nuggets - Jets 99-96

Important game to mention about took place in Dunedin. Top-ranked Nuggets (4-0) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 10th ranked Jets (1-4) 99-96 on Friday evening. Host team only slightly avoided a big embarassment. Jets were plagued by 28 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of Haitian-Canadian guard Alain Louis (185-1998, college: Carleton) who helped to win the game recording 15 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists and the former international swingman Ethan Rusbatch (196-1992, college: Lincoln Trail) who added 23 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Four Nuggets players scored in double figures. At the losing side American guard Kaden Sand (198-2001, college: Bushnell) responded with 25 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and his fellow American import power forward Jamal Poplar (204-1996, college: Seward County) produced a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds. Jets' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Nuggets have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 4-0 record. Jets at the other side keep the tenth place with four games lost. Nuggets will play against Rams (#3) in Christchurch in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Jets will play on the road against Sharks (#7) in Southland to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Nuggets: R.Ethan 23+5reb+1ast, T.Buay 22+6reb, L.Alain 15+7reb+8ast, Z.Mckenzie 14+9reb+2ast, M.Henn 9+3reb+3ast, I.Miller-Jose 7+4reb
Jets: K.Sand 25+8reb+4ast, P.Jamal 25+10reb, E.Jr Kazlo 17+4reb+4ast, M.Christian 8+5reb+2ast, Z.Hamza 7+1reb, H.Alex 6+4reb+2ast