The Otago Nuggets new import — who joined the side earlier this week — banged down a three and helped get his new side off on the right foot.
But they clicked right across the floor to notch a 88-63 victory against the Nelson Giants on the road yesterday.
It snapped the Nuggets three-game losing streak, after winning their opening four games of the NBL season.
Moller top-scored with 20 points and added six rebounds, and two assists, Ethan Rusbatch had 15 points and Isaac Miller-Jose had 12 rebounds.
Kruz Perrott-Hunt was the best for the Giants with 16 points.
The Nuggets defensive effort was huge across the floor, keeping the Giants to 33% from the floor.
Off the bench, Matthew Bardsley — who was a standout for the visitors — went hard through contact to give the Nuggets a 16-11 lead.
Moller poured on 11 points in the opening quarter and attracted plenty of attention.
The Nuggets led 25-13 at the first break.
They were absolutely humming, stopping the Giants getting easy looks in the paint.
Bardsley was busy and Buay Tuach pulled up nicely to extend the Nuggets 29-15.
The Giants were their own worse enemy coughing up seven turnovers — while the Nuggets had a clean sheet — midway through the second period.
The Nuggets just kept on ticking over, pushing out to 31-19 lead.
Rusbatch nailed a corner triple and Bardsley stole the ball as the clock ticked down.
Miller-Jose nailed two free throws to close out the period and extend the Nuggets lead 49-29 at the break.
They Nuggets spread their points across the floor, moving the ball at pace to keep the Giants guessing.
But the Giants came out much better in the in third period, led by Perrott-Hunt.
Moller continued knocking down triples and Miller-Jose collected the ball at the other end to help the Nuggets.
It was a quieter quarter for both sides but the Nuggets held a 64-41 lead at the break.
Quietly but surely Rusbatch got himself in the action, Zach McKenzie drained a triple, and Alain Louis added a couple.
NBL
The scores
Otago Nuggets 88
Craig Moller 20, Ethan Rusbatch 15
Nelson Giants 63
Kruz Perrott-Hunt 16, Alex McNaught 13
Quarter scores: Nuggets 25-13, 49-29, 64-41.
