Waikato not longer look bullet proof in the National Basketball League.
They continue to head the standings but suffered twin losses this weekend to loosen their grip on the regular season title.
Having gone down 97-102 to Canterbury last night, Waikato today fell 95-99 to Taranaki after overtime in New Plymouth.
Taranaki's American shooting guard Keith Salscheider had 29 points, while Link Abrams and Tony Rampton posted double doubles as they inflicted Waikato's fourth loss in 16 outings this season.
The result saw Taranaki move level with Auckland on 14 points for the final place in the six-team playoffs.
Waikato sit atop the table on 24 points and Wellington are second, four points behind with two matches in hand.
Taranaki led 68-59 after the third quarter following a 24-15 third period sparked by Abrams and Salscheider, but gave away the lead and almost the game in the closing seconds.
Holding a two-point lead forward Aaron Nowell had a shot blocked, Waikato took the ball the other way, and a basket from American two guard Brian Wethers, who finished with 18 points, sent the game to overtime.
Abrams had 21 points, 11 rebounds and six assists while Rampton contributed 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Waikato point guard Jason Crowe fell two rebounds shy of his fourth triple double of the year, going for a team-high 23 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists, while Wethers and Mike Homik collected 18 points.
In today's other game, Manawatu took a rare road win away at North Shore by beating North Harbour 91-80.
American point guard Kantrail Horton finished with a game-high 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting, nine rebounds and 10 assists.
Fellow import Keith Davis had 23 points and veteran Stacey Lambert, who moved past 3000 points for his career last week, added 15 points.
With forwards Oscar Forman and Daryl Cartwright out injured, Mika Vukona stepped up for North Harbour with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Australian centre Tim Behrendorff had 17 points and 11 rebounds, Hayden Allen 17 points and five assists, Dan Ryan 16 points and Jarrod Kenny seven assists.
Manawatu shot a strong 49 percent from the field and 40 percent on three-point attempts.
North Harbour remain third in the standings at 9-6 for the season while Manawatu, at 4-10, are eighth and need to win their final four games to have any hope of reaching the playoffs.
