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Saints Drop 29 Triples In Massive Win Over Bulls

The Wellington Saints have warmed up for the Sal's NBL Final 4 in the best way possible by dropping a season-high 29 three-pointers on their way to a 125-65 win over the EnviroNZ Franklin Bulls.

The Saints dominated from the start and never looked back. The title favourites are in ominous form and left no stone unturned as they dismantled the Bulls, who were again without Kyrin Galloway (hand injury) for their last game of the season.

Leading 38-15 at quarter time, 11 of the Saints 13 made baskets in the opening stanza were triples with Tohi Smith-Milner (4), Kenneth Tuffing (3) and Leon Henry (2) leading the onslaught.

And just in case we forgot how punsihing they were from distance in the opening 10 minutes, young Marnie Mita started the second period with a trey as the Saints continue to fire away.

Despite the growing margin, the Bulls looked a lot more settled as the quarter progressed with Denhym Brooke, Isaac Davidson and Manel Ayol finding some points, while at the other end there was a concerted effort to make life a little tougher for the competition's top team.

Much to the delight of the packed stadium the Bulls won the second period 22-21, but there was still plenty of work to do with the Saints leading 59-37.

The Saints wasted little time after the main break re-asserting their authority, slowly getting back on top with a 20-17 quarter, before blwoing the Bulls out of The Stockyard with a barnstorming 46-11 final period.

The performance was a masterclass in shooting as the visitors dropped 29-of-53 from range at 54 per cent. Leon Henry (7-of-11) did the most damage from behind the arc, but he had plenty of helpers with a further five players draining three or more treys each.

Look our Sharks, Hawks and Huskies - the Saints are primed for a big week as they try and close out the 2021 season with a 12th national title.

 

Franklin Bulls (65) lost to Wellington Saints (125) - BOXSCORE

BULLS: Isaac Davidson (15pts), Jett Thompson (11pts)

SAINTS: Kerwin Roach (29pts, 7ast, 4 treys), Leon Henry (24pts, 7 treys), Kenneth Tuffin (17pts, 5 treys), Tohi Smith-Milner (15pts, 4 treys).

 

Game Highlights

1. The Bulls came into the season wanting to be the League's best three-point shooting team, but they were shown what that takes tonight with the Saints setting what must be close to a League record 29 triples. It was a fisrt-class show by the number one ranked team in the competition.
2. Tohi Smith-Milner and Kenneth Tuffin set the tone for the game with a perfect 9-9 from downtown between them in the first half. They then sat and watched on in the last quarter as their teammates delivered a 46-point period. 

Stuff MVP Votes

Kerwin Roach (Saints) 10

Leon Henry (Saints) 8

Kenneth Tuffin (Saints) 3

Isaac Davidson (Bulls) 3

Jett Thompson (Bulls) 3

Tohi Smith-Milner (Saints) 2

Braydon Iuli (Bulls ) 1