Otago Nuggets 67
Wellington Saints 90
The Otago Nuggets crashed to their sixth consecutive loss when they were thrashed 90-67 by the Wellington Saints in the capital yesterday.
The beleaguered franchise is anchored at the bottom of the competition table and shows no sign of moving up the ladder following another dismal shooting display.
The visitors landed just 25 of their 73 attempts from the floor, and they are lacking chemistry on attack.
The Nuggets axed 2.14m centre Rahsaan Smith after two games for guard Lemar Gayle. The 28-year-old has brought some much-needed offensive consistency, leading all scorers yesterday with 26 points, 15 rebounds and six steals. But Gayle aside, the Nuggets struggled to score.
Wellington forward Arthur Trousdell had a marvellous game. He slotted 20 points, hauled 18 rebounds and shut down Jay Anderson.
Anderson has been a reliable contributor for the Nuggets but was restricted to just 10 points.
Guard Troy McLean topscored for Wellington with 22 points and American import Marquis Webb scored 20 points.
Fellow American Kevin Owens racked up a doubledouble with 10 points and 10 boards.
Brent Charleton was the next best for the Nuggets with 12 points.
Wellington Saints 90 (Troy McLean 22, Arthur Trousdell 20, Marquis Webb 20, Kevin Owens 10), Otago Nuggets 67 (Lemar Gayle 26, Brent Charleton 12, Jay Anderson 10, Nat Connell 10). Half-time: 51-35.
