Giants top NBL, Saints win

Dominant performances from two of New Zealand’s best young basketballers have earned the Nelson Giants and Wellington Saints National Basketball League victories.

Giants forward Finn Delany scored 33 points in his side’s 101-86 win over the Supercity Rangers yesterday, while Saints guard Shea Ili had 27 in their 80-77 win over the Bay Hawks.

Nelson’s win takes them top of the NBL ladder at 6-2, while the Saints moved to second on 5-1. The Hawks remain fifth on 4-3, while the Rangers are last at 0-8.

In Wellington, Ili continued his scoring form for the Saints, while Majok Majok grabbed another double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds.

For the Hawks, Australian big Angus Brandt was strong with 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Ethan Rusbatch was hot early before finishing with 18 points.

After a slow start, the Saints worked their way back into the game throughout the second quarter as their shooting improved, briefly leading before going into halftime down 40-38.

The third quarter was another dour struggle as poor shooting, including numerous missed open layups, as well as good defence saw the teams score a combined 29 points between them.

The Saints led 54-53 heading into the final quarter. The game seesawed throughout the final quarter, but the Saints came up big in the clutch, especially Ili, who nailed a three and then turned a steal into a layup for Peak in decisive back-to-back plays with three minutes to go.

In Te Awamutu, Delany again impressed for the Giants, adding six rebounds and three steals to his 33 points.

The Rangers clung on through the first half thanks to a solid team effort. Devon Scott would end up leading them in scoring 22, but four other players reached double figures.

The Giants led 25-17 by the end of the first quarter, and by 43-38 at the end of a scrappy first half. There were 16 turnovers shared evenly between the two teams.

Nelson put the hammer down in the third quarter, jumping out to a 14-point lead (79-65) as Delany dominated, before cruising to the win in the final quarter. ❚ Wellington Saints 80 (Shea Ili 27 points, LJ Peak 18, Majok Majok 13) Bay Hawks 77 (Angus Brandt 19 points, Ethan Rusbatch 18, Jarrod Kenny 14). Q1: 14-20; HT: 38-40; Q3: 54-53.

❚ Nelson Giants 101 (Finn Delany 33 points, Kyle Adnam 20, Damon Heuir 20) Supercity Rangers 86 (Devon Scott 22 points, Marcel Jones 14, Clayton Wilson 14). Q1: 25-17; HT: 43-38; Q3: 79-65.

❚ Canterbury Rams 80 (Winston Shepard 19, Julian WilliamsWashburn 16, Xavier Thomas 15) Taranaki Mountain Airs 72 (Javonte Douglas 22, Alonzo Burton 20). Q1: 18-19; HT: 39-33; Q3: 59-57.

❚ Wellington Saints 109 (Shea Ili 31 points, Majok Majok 28, Jordan Ngatai 12) Manawatu Jets 101 (Kuran Iverson 25 points, Daishon Knight 22, Brandon Lucas 22). Q1: 23-27; HT: 56-54; Q3: 82-75.

❚ Nelson Giants 91 (Kyle Adnam 22 points, FInn Delany 18, Damon Heuir 18) Taranaki Mountainairs 58 (Xavier Smith 17 points, Alonzo Burton 12). Q1: 21-11; HT: 47-25; Q3: 75-48.

❚ Southland Sharks 108 (Orlando Coleman 29, Conor Morgan 22, Jarrad Weeks 13) Super City Rangers 87 (Devon Scott 17, Junior Ale 17, Marcel Jones 16). 1Q: 32-23 HT: 57-45 3Q: 86-64.