After 20min of overtime the Otago Nuggets emerged victorious in perhaps the most exciting match of their history.
It took until almost the 60min mark before the Nuggets were able to break the deadlock with the Taranaki Mountain Airs and eventually win 145-137 in the fourth period of overtime.
Fittingly, it was the veteran Mark Dickel who sealed the win with a brace of free throws.
The little general played a staggering 58min and 13sec and bagged 27 points, including 15 from 16 free throws.
When he was not scoring he was setting up his team-mates with 12 assists, and was just three rebounds shy of a rare triple-double.
Mountain Airs point guard Jack Leasure also racked up some impressive numbers. He scored 41 points, including a three-point buzzer-beater to send the game into a fourth period of overtime. It was not until he fouled out with about a minute remaining the Nuggets were able to exhale.
Hayden Allen top-scored for the Nuggets with 29 points and Antoine Tisby (26 points, 14 rebounds) and Akeem Wright (25 points, 15 rebounds) also made strong contributions.
Veteran link Abrams was outstanding for the home side with 27 points and 18 rebounds.
