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GIANTS SHUT DOWN BULLS TO SCORE ROAD WIN

The Mike Pero Nelson Giants have secured their first win in the SalsNBL as they grabbed an impressive 107-94 win over the EnviroNZ Franklin Bulls at the Franklin Pool & Leisure Centre in Pukekohe on Saturday.

The Giants managed to slow down a Bulls offense that has enjoyed an up-tempo style of play to date and carried them to successive wins before being stopped in their tracks back on home court.

The visitors came out of the gates hot, hitting shots and creating space while the Bulls were laboured and found themselves in early foul trouble and frustrated by with the aggressive Giants defense.

The visitors pressed hard, particularly on star imports Josh Selby and Zane Waterman.

Selby was still a big threat with the ball, hitting 36 points, which included six of 11 from downtown while Waterman finished with 20 and 14 for his third straight double double.

The Giants spread the scoring load and found success all over the hardwood with all five starters recording double digit scoring.

A fourth quarter comeback looked on briefly as the Bulls raced back from 23 points down at one stage to get within three before the Giants closed it out.

Point guard Hunter Hale thrived in the scrappy affair, was a nuisance all night without the ball and came up with some crucial steals. He finished with a stuffed stat sheet that included 23 points, nine boards, nine assists and five steals.

 

Nelson Giants 107 defeated Franklin Bulls 94 - BOXSCORE

Giants: Hunter Hale 23pts & 9 ass, Donte Ingram 19pts & 10 rebounds, Thomas Ingham 15pts & 4 rebounds

Bulls: Josh Selby 36pts & 6rbs, Zane Waterman 20pts & 14 rebounds, Jaylen Gerrand 10pts.

 

Game Highlights

1. Are the two Giants imports the missing piece of the puzzle? The nucleus of the Giants side has been together for a while and Hunter Hale and Donte Ingram both fitted into their style perfectly to help them to a crucial road win.
2. Have the Giants found the blueprint to shut down the Bulls offense? They were able to slow them down by pressing hard and taking any momentum out of the game, leaving Selby, Waterman and co frustrated.
3. Is there any way to shut down Josh Selby? The former NBA star still managed to score 36 points despite being double teamed for much of the night and while his teammates had all their rhythm interrupted, Selby scored at will.
4. On the flip side the Giants all-round, team game worked perfectly with all five starters scoring in double digits and any number of contributors helping their side to get the chocolates.

 

Stuff MVP Votes

Hunter Hale (Giants - 10)

Donte Ingram (Giants - 7)

Josh Selby (Bulls - 7)

Zane Waterman (Bulls - 3)

Sam Dempster (Giants - 2)

Tom Ingham (Giants - 1)

 

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