The Manawatu Jets survived a determined fightback from the Nuggets to prevail 89-83 in a thrilling match in Palmerston North.
The Nuggets have made an unfortunate habit of starting games slowly this season and yesterday they hit the court cold, scoring just 10 points in the opening period.
Jets rookie Duane Bailey scored 10 of his 18 points in the first stanza as the home side outscored its opponent 26-10. The Nuggets were forced to play catch-up and gradually got themselves into a position to win the match.
American point guard Scott O'Gallagher barely missed, scoring a game-high 28 points, and Craig Bradshaw (18 points) and Lance Allred (13 points) helped the Nuggets claw their way back into the fixture.
Trailing by 11 with 10min remaining, the Nuggets scored 10 unanswered points to cut the gap to just one point.
The Jets were rattled but regained their composure with a three-pointer from import Chris Hagan and a basket from Jeremiah Trueman.
The key moment was probably when Allred missed two free throw attempts with a shade over a minute remaining and his side trailing 85-81. American shooting guard Darryl Hudson got the ball and forced his way through the heavy traffic to the hoop only to miss. But he grabbed his own rebound and popped it in to extend the lead to six points.
There was no way back for the Nuggets but Arlidge refused to blame his side's poor start.
"The Manawatu Jets just came out with fire and brimstone," he said.
"They hit about 50% of their shots and we were about four from 16. We had good looks, but they just didn't drop.""I wouldn't say that was where we lost it. Down the stretch we didn't hit a couple of free throws and we missed three or four easy two-footers.
"But we fought back and that was the good thing. The boys are learning to fight."
Arlidge said O'Gallagher had his best outing for the Nuggets and James Ross came up with three steals and did some good things.
Hudson top-scored for the Jets with 21 points and Bailey grabbed 13 rebounds to go with his 18-point haul.
The Nuggets, some of whom have the flu, will have to regroup quickly. They play the Hawkes Bay Hawks at Pettigrew Green Arena today.
The scores
NUGGETS v JETS
• Manawatu Jets 87
Darryl Hudson 21, Duane Bailey 18, Jeremiah Trueman 17)
• Otago Nuggets 83
Scott O'Gallagher 28, Craig Bradshaw 18, Lance Allred 13)
• Quarter 26-10, halftime 45-39, third quarter 71-60
