But that never deterred the Otago Nuggets, who put in a gutsy performance eventually falling 96-90 to the Wellington Saints away yesterday.
Looking to bounce back from a heartbreaking 94-93 loss to the Franklin Bulls on Friday, the Nuggets had a strong opening half, but the defending champions pulled away late.
Elijah Pepper, the league’s leading scorer, finished with 33 points, Carlin Davison nabbed a double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Hyrum Harris had a great return with 10 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
Ethan Rusbatch top scored for the Nuggets with 23 points, Craig Moller had a double of 13 points and 14 rebounds, Buay Tuach had 15 points and Alain Louis had 10 points and nine assists.
Moller put Rusbatch into nice space in the paint, Tyson Thata-Paese nailed a triple and Rusbatch hit another.
Rusbatch nailed yet another from deep, Moller drained another from beyond the arc and Zach McKenzie finished a fastbreak for the Nuggets to lead 32-22 at the break.
The Saints’ fought back and put the pressure on the Nuggets, closing the gap to five and had a much better quarter.
Moller responded beyond the arc and Tuach split the defence to finish off the glass.
The Saints came home strong through the back end of the quarter and locked in defensively as the Nuggets lead was cut to three.
Pepper nailed a three to lock the score 46-46 at halftime.
Isaac Miller-Jose finished with a massive dunk to help the Nuggets start on the right foot.
Matthew Bardsley found Caleb Smiler on the fastbreak to finish and restore a nine-point lead for the visitors.
But the Saints came straight back and then grabbed a three-point lead as a pumped-up Pepper drained another from deep.
The home side’s defence ramped up and everything landed offensively as they led 75-67 at the break.
The Saints marched home in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
The Nuggets won the Rapid League fixture 31-29.
NBL
The scores
Wellington Saints 96
Elijah Pepper 33, Carlin Davison 15
Otago Nuggets 90
Ethan Rusbatch 23, Buay Tuach 17
Quarter scores: Nuggets 32-22, 46-46, 67-75.
