The Cigna Saints have won their ninth straight with a 98-89 win over the Augusta Mountainairs.
Shea Ili, again led the way with 28 points for the Saints who had to claw their way back from a 14 point deficit.
Taranaki led for the majority of the game, but the difference was the fourth quarter, the Saints outscoring the Airs 32-13.
Wellington were without their second leading scorer, LJ Peak, but did get 19 points from Shaun Bruce, and both Majok Majok (13 points & 16 rebounds) and Leon Henry (15 points & 13 rebounds) grabbed double-doubles.
It is the fifth straight defeat for the Airs, who were much improved from the loss to the Rangers last week. Javonte Douglas had 25 points, 17 of which came in the first half. Roger Woods tallied 15 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, and Alonzo Burton added 14.
The loss puts the Airs to 2-8, while the Saints will have the tough task of trying to extend their streak to 10 when they play on the road tomorrow to the Go Media Jets, who will have a prime opportunity to claim their second win of the season with the Saints being without their Ili and Peak.
In Napier, the Taylor Hawks are back on track with a hard fought 93-84 win over the 2 Cheap Cars Supercity Rangers.
The Hawks welcomed back Angus Brandt, who had 22 points and 17 rebounds, and fellow forward Jamie Skeen added 25 as they snapped a two game losing streak.
The Rangers got off to a quick start holding an 11 point lead after the first period, but the Hawks would outscore the visitors by 17 through the middle quarters. The Rangers did make a late comeback in the fourth quarter and at one stage they closed to within three points.
But the Hawks were able to hold onto the victory to claim win number six and now trail the fourth placed Wheeler Motor Canterbury Rams by a half game.
The Rangers drop to 1-10, and at this stage their slim playoff hopes are probably all but gone. Marcel Jones scored a team high 23 points, and shooting guard Clay Wilson added 14.
Week 8: Saturday, June 16
At TSB Bank Arena, 3pm
Cigna Saints 98 (Shea Ili 28, Shaun Bruce 19, Leon Henry 15)
Augusta Mountainairs 89 (Javonte Douglas 25, Roger Woods 15, Alonzo Burton 14)
Live Stats
At Pettigrew Green Arena, Napier, 5pm
Taylor Hawks 93 (Jamie Skeen 25, Angus Brandt 22, Ethan Rusbatch 14)
2 Cheap Cars Supercity Rangers 84 (Marcel Jones 23, Clay Wilson 17, Lindsay Tait 14)
Live Stats
Photo: www.photosport.nz
