Withers shines for Nuggets
In the space of seven days, the Otago Nuggets have knocked over both National Basketball League grand finalists from last season.
A week after toppling defending champions Wellington Saints 83-61, the Nuggets gained another significant scalp at their Edgar Centre home in Dunedin.
Sparked by a game-high 30 points, nine rebounds and four steals from American swingman Todd Withers, the Nuggets knocked over the Hawke’s Bay Hawks 94-80 on Saturday.
Withers, who was previously with the Adelaide 36ers in the Australian NBL, was critical for the hosts, draining seven threes, and shooting an efficient 10 of 16 from the floor.
He was ably assisted by leading Kiwi big man Sam Timmins, who produced a 17 point-12 rebound doubledouble, while American guard Keith Williams chipped in with 23 points in just under 25 minutes off the bench.
It was another impressive early season showing from the Nuggets, who had to overcome more than half their squad being bedridden with the flu earlier in the week.
Withers was one of the players struck down, but you wouldn’t have known from his standout play at both ends of the court. The 26-year-old, who hails from Greensboro, North Carolina, looks an astute signing from the Nuggets.
Forty-eight hours after a convincing 87-68 win over the Southland Sharks in Invercargill, the Hawks weren’t able to play at the same intensity, splitting their southern road trip 1-1.
Hawke’s Bay took a 47-44 lead into halftime against the Nuggets, but Otago outscored them 50-33 in the second half with the Hawks appearing to show signs of fatigue.
Both sides are 2-2 in the young NBL season.
The Canterbury Rams bounced back from a sub-par home loss to the Auckland Tuatara last Sunday, beating the Manawatū Jets 92-82 in Palmerston North on Saturday.
Imports Sunday Dech and Ryan Taylor led the way for the Rams, both scoring 27 points.
It was some turnaround from the duo who were rusty against the Tuatara, having only just arrived in Christchurch.
Big man Michael Karena was a menace inside for the Rams, notching 18 points and 10 boards.