The Mike Pero Nelson Giants have easily dispatched the Go Media Jets, 90-71, to claim their tenth victory of the season.
Nelson were coming into the game without starting point guard, Kyle Adnam, and Mike Vukona (injured back), but the depth of the Giants side was evident tonight as they led by as many as 26 points.
Damon Heuir top scored for the visitors with 24 points which included a couple of back door alley oops which gave excitement to the Whanganui crowd. Finn Delany had 18 points, Jerry Evan Jr returned from injury to have 14 points, and off the bench Ali Granger chipped in with 12.
It was another disappointing performance from the Jets who slump to their seventh straight defeat. The home side really let themselves down in the second quarter where they managed to whittle down a double-digit lead to six in the closing minutes of the half, only to allow the Giants to push their lead back up to 13 to end the half thanks to three consecutive three pointers. Nelson would extend their lead to 17 at the end of the third, and although the Jets did make a mini fight back in the fourth to cut a 26 point deficit to 15, it would be too little to late.
Manawatu struggled with the rims at Springvale Stadium, shooting 2-for-20 from three. Daishon scored a team high 23 points, but he struggled from the field tonight shooting nine-for-25. Kuran Iverson tallied 20 points and 16 rebounds, and centre, Callum McRae, was arguably the pick of the Jets with a double-double of 12 points and ten rebounds, making the most of his opportunities.
McRae will be sorely missed for the young Jets, as he now heads to the US to begin his college career at the University of California Riverside. The Jets next game will be on Saturday night when they travel to Christchurch to play the Wheeler Motor Canterbury Rams.
Nelson will now go into the bye week with a 10-2 record, and could be top of the table if the Cigna Saints lose to the SIT Zerofees Sharks tomorrow night (Stream available at nznbl.basketball website, maoritelevision.com, tab.co.nz or at @NZNBL facebook page).
Week 9: Thursday, June 21
At Springvale Sports Stadium, Whanganui
Go Media Jets 71 (Daishon Knight 23, Kuran Iverson 20, Callum McRae 12)
Mike Pero Nelson Giants 90 (Damon Heuir 24, Finn Delany 18, Jerry Evan Jr 14)
Live Stats
Upcoming Games
Friday, June 22
At ILT Stadium, Invercargill
SIT Zerofees Sharks (7-3) v Cigna Saints (10-1)
Live Stats
Saturday, June 23
At Pettigrew Green Arena, Napier
Taylor Hawks (6-5) v Augusta Mountainairs (2-8)
Live Stats
At Cowles Stadium, Christchurch
The Wheeler Motor Canterbury Rams (6-4) v Go Media Jets
Live Stats
Sunday, June 24
At Trusts Arena, Waitakere
2 Cheap Cars Supercity Rangers (1-10) v Augusta Mountainairs (2-8)
Live Stats
Photo: www.photosport.nz
