Basketball: Nuggets fillet Sharks again

Akeem Wright and Antoine Tisby combined for 52 points to help the Otago Nuggets power to a decisive 85-74 win against arch rivals the Southland Sharks in Invercargill last night.

Wright posted a game-high 29 points and Tisby scored 23 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in a commanding performance.

The rivalry between the two sides reached new heights after a tense and emotional match in Dunedin last month.

In front of a parochial Southland crowd, it was the Nuggets who demonstrated more skills and gave a small group of Otago supporters plenty to celebrate.

Nuggets captain and former Shark Mark Dickel was booed when he ran on to the court but it did not phase the experienced point guard.

An ecstatic Nuggets coach Alf Arlidge described the performance as "outstanding".

"We knew they would come out strong in the second half because they were down 11 points, but we were very strong in the third quarter when we started to pull away from them," Arlidge said.

"I think we looked after the ball really well and the guys worked really well together."

The Nuggets are still without two of their New Zealand Breakers players, making it an even bigger feat to come away with an away win.

The first quarter left much to be desired, with the Nuggets going to the first break with a 27-25 lead.

The visitors found their range in the second quarter and by halftime led by 11 points. But it was in the third quarter when the Nuggets shone, stretching their lead to 23 points.

The Sharks fought back in the last quarter but were not able to bridge the gap.

Wright landed 13 of his 21 attempts from the floor and Tisby made sure the Nuggets won the battle in the paint. He outplayed rival Craig Bradshaw.

Larry Abney had a good night for the Sharks with 21 points and 12 rebounds.

In Auckland, the Pirates won their fifth game of the season beating Nelson Giants 101-93.