Todd Withers enhanced his reputation as a defensive wizard, but also had a quality shooting night.
The Nuggets forward dropped in seven three-pointers in a 25-point haul. He nabbed nine rebounds, made five assists, three blocks and grabbed a steal in an impressive shift.
Keith Williams quietly racked up 26 points. He is a strong finisher at the hoop, and Tray Boyd came alive in the second quarter and finished up with 18 points.
The win lifts the Nuggets to 8-7. They are nicely placed to make the top six.
The Jets have slipped to 5-11 and out of contention despite Zane Najdawi grabbing 19 rebounds and slotting 22 points.
The visitors actually started well. Robert Crawford (22 points) hit three early triples.
The Nuggets were finding baskets easily enough at the other end as well. But the defensive intensity was missing in the opening quarter.
Six minutes ticked by before there was a foul made by either side.
The Nuggets led 26-18 at the break and were desperate to shut down a three-game losing streak at home.
Boyd added some spark. He started the second quarter with an and-one, poached a pass, got an assist, floated in a mid-range shot and drilled a three-pointer.
The margin blew out awfully quickly.
The Jets were backing up from their 88-84 loss to the Nelson Giants in Palmerston North on Saturday night.
They had spent 10 hours in transit, so the tank was empty.
They were also missing import John Bohannon, who was ill, and found themselves trailing 60-40 at halftime.
The lead reached 30 midway through the third and it was hard not to look away, really.
The game lost its structure as well, which was another reason to look away.
Withers dispatched a couple of blocks to start the fourth. He is mightily athletic and found his range as well.
He dropped in another long three before he got an early sit-down.
Joe Ahie hit a three-pointer to bring up the team 100.
In other results this weekend, The Hawke’s Bay Hawks edged the Franklin Bulls 80-70 and the Taranaki Airs beat the Canterbury Rams 87-70.
NBL
The scores
Otago Nuggets 103
Keith Williams 26, Todd Withers 25
Manawatu Jets 76
Robert Crawford 22, Zane Najdawi 22
Quarter scores: 26-18, 60-40, 79-53, 103-76
