The Otago Nuggets found out first-hand just how dangerous Corey Webster can be. He scorched the visitors for 32 points in the Wellington Saints' 102-93 win on Tuesday night.
It was the Nuggets' first loss this season and brought an end to a 10-game winning streak which stretched back to May last year.
Despite the loss, coach Alf Arlidge said his side remained upbeat. The Saints are one of the most talented teams in the league and shot a brilliant 60% from the floor.
They also dominated the close exchanges, winning the rebounding battle and scoring more points in the paint - two areas the Nuggets have typically controlled.
The Nuggets (8-1) will look to bounce back against the Waikato Pistons in Hamilton tonight. The Pistons are winless after seven games and struggled to compete with the Nuggets in Dunedin last month. They were well-beaten, 97-74.
The key to the Nuggets' 23-point win was some superb defence. Tai Webster was held to just seven points and import Garrius Holloman scored 20 points but was 7-of-21 from the floor.
Only fellow import Zack Atkinson could say he had a good night. Actually, he was rather impressive with 21 rebounds and 24 points.
The Nuggets will look to keep him under his average (20.3 points, 13.9 rebounds) and make sure Webster does not get too many open looks.
''We have to do a really good job again on Tai Webster,'' Arlidge said.
''Last time we did a super job on him, defensively. The guys have to play better against Zack Atkinson than they did last time. He got too many and we're definitely not going to let that happen again.
''Basically, we just need to do what we do well.''
Nuggets power forward BJ Anthony has been in impressive form but the Saints kept the former Tall Black under his season average (23.1), restricting him to just 18 points with some tight defence around the hoop.
Anthony fouled out, which did not help, and he landed only eight of his 22 attempts from the floor.
Akeem Wright also had an off night. He is always a little streaky when it comes to shooting and missed half of his eight attempts from the free-throw line.
Mark Dickel's hyped clash with Lindsay Tait lived up to its billing. Both had fine nights but Tait took the moral victory with 20 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists.
Dickel also posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists. Nuggets centre Antoine Tisby produced an honest effort with 18 points, six rebounds and four assists. He also came away with four steals.
Tisby was outplayed by Atkinson in their earlier clash and the Nuggets will want to see a bit more energy from the 30-year-old.
Last season, Tisby was one of the most dominant centres but he is struggling to have the same impact this year with Anthony so strong under the hoop.
Nuggets v Pistons
Hamilton, tonight, 7pm
Otago Nuggets: Antoine Tisby, BJ Anthony, Akeem Wright, Hayden Allen, Mark Dickel (captain), Brendon Polyblank, Riki Buckrell, James Ross, Matt Trueman, Luke Aston.
Waikato Pistons: Zack Atkinson, Garrius Holloman, Marco Alexander, Tai Webster, Nick Barrow, Tamaki Courtney, James Comer, Ana Haku, Torr Woodhouse, Isaac Hayes, Eru McCullough, Hakopa Pore.
