The Otago Nuggets put up a good fight but eventually succumbed in New Plymouth last night.
The Nuggets lost 103-95 to the Taranaki Airs as the home team’s class drove them home in the final quarter.
Heading into the game, the Airs sat third on the ladder and the Nuggets ninth.
But it never felt like there was that much difference between the two and it was a much improved performance from the Nuggets after last week’s loss to the Southland Sharks.
Ben Henshall was big, finishing on 31 points, and Kimani Lawrence was in everything with 24 points. Jack Andrew was also strong with 16 points and eight rebounds.
But Carlin Davison was sublime for the Airs with 27 points and 11 rebounds.
The Nuggets came out with great intensity and treasured the rebounds they snaffled.
They shut down Sam Froling’s impact in the paint and the Airs struggled to find their way in.
The Nuggets lead 21-19 at the end of the first quarter.
Derone Raukawa banged down a three from out wide to give the Airs their first lead in the opening minutes of the second quarter.
Dontae Russo-Nance stole the ball from Mitch McCarron and floated his pass up near the hoop.
Lawrence attacked the ball with heat to finish off with a dunk and then added another two soon after.
Henshall then stole the ball and finished it off, Matt Bardsley dished off a nice ball to Robbie Coman and things seemed to be humming for the Nuggets.
But Davison stole the ball from the Nuggets’ throw in and drew the foul, and somehow the Airs had the lead.
They charged on for a five point lead at the end of the quarter and the Nuggets were unlucky to have several shots ring out of the basket.
The Airs clicked to lead 50-43 at halftime.
Henshall sent a nice ball for Jack Andrew to finish off in the paint to open the third.
The Airs still had control with an eight point margin. Davison had a big three and Andrew answered with his own.
Russo-Nance came alive, bagging a three and then picked the ball off the Airs to finish with a nice lay up.
It helped the Nuggets level the score, but the Airs lead 76-74 at the end of the third.
The Airs experience stood up in the final quarter to see them home.
The Nuggets now have a quick turnaround to play the Manawatu Jets tomorrow.
NBL
The scores
Taranaki Airs 103
Sam Froling 27, Carlin Davison 27
Otago Nuggets 95
Ben Henshall 31, Kimani Lawrence 24,
Quarter scores: Otago Nuggets 21-19, 43-50, 74-76
