The Otago Nuggets crashed to a 99-70 loss to the Manawatu Jets in Palmerston North last night.
American forward Richard Jeter top scored for the home side with 25 points and former Tall Black Chris Reay chipped in with 17 points to help sink the Nuggets.
It was the Nuggets' 15th consecutive loss this season and the hapless franchise has just three matches left to avoid going through the season without a win.
The Nuggets play the Wellington Saints in the capital tonight and the Christchurch Cougars in Christchurch next Thursday, before completing their season with a home match against the Hawke's Bay Hawks.
Only two teams in the history of the National Basketball League have gone through a season without recording a win.
The Taranaki Mountain Airs achieved the dubious feat last season and the Northland Suns lost 20 consecutive games in 1998.
The Nuggets were within striking distance at halftime thanks to a 20 point haul from Tyler Amaya.
But Jeter posted 11 points in the quarter to help the Jets outscore the Nuggets 35-19 in the crucial third period and take a commanding lead into the final 10min.
Amaya added four points to his halftime score and Nuggets captain Sam To'omata was the next best, with 16 points, and John Barber jun scored 12 points.
THE SCORES
- Manawatu Jets 99:
Richard Jeter 25, Chris Reay 17, Calum McLeod 12
- Otago Nuggets 70:
Tyler Amaya 24, Sam To'omata 16, John Barber jun 12
- Quarter 21-12, halftime 49-40, third quarter 84-59
