NBL Standings
AUCKLAND (NBL) - Australian point guard Brad Davidson scored 36 points and ignited the fast break that gave Inspire Net Manawatu Jets a hard-earned 83-80 overtime win over St Laurence Wellington Saints in Wellington.
The undermanned Jets, still missing injured American Ryan Randle, seemed to have victory well in hand when Davidson hit a three-pointer to put them 21 points up (48-27) midway through the third quarter. But veteran Terrence Lewis strapped the home team to his back and carried them back into contention, scoring all but two of his 20 points after halftime.
Saints forward Brendon Polyblank connected from beyond the arc with 18 seconds remaining in regulation to force the extra period and the scores were still locked with the clock winding down in OT. Lewis had a chance to win the game for Saints with a simple shot under the basket, but his effort was blocked by Davidson, who then stole the ball and drove the length of the court to put Stacey Lambert in for the deciding three-point play.
Davidson shot 10/18 FG, 6/12 3pt, 10/11 FT and added seven assists in his dominant effort. Lewis led Saints' scoring, while American Nick Horvath had 19 points/14 rebounds.
It was the third consecutive Friday night Wellington had been taken to overtime - their record is now 1-2 under such circumstances.
Victory give Manawatu a 6-5 record for the season and keeps them in the thick of a battle for the fourth semifinal spot. They host the NBS Nelson Giants next Saturday.
Saints fall to 6-4 and face the Giants on the road midweek.
Nelson kicked off their Auckland doubleheader with a convincing 91-78 win over Appliance Shed Harbour Heat in this week's televised encounter. The visitors led 24-16 after the opening period and cruised to victory led by 32 points from American Eric Freeman.
Tall Black Mika Vukona contributed 25 points, including 3/3 3pt, while sharpshooter Troy McLean was the best of the Heat with 28 points.
Nelson (7-1) have a day off before tackling defending champions the Auckland Stars on Sunday. Harbour (2-9) next Waikato Pistons in Hamilton on Thursday.
Waikato looked like pulling off an upset when they led Easy LPG Bay Hawks 24-12 after a quarter of their home encounter, but fell away badly to gift their guests an 81-60 win.
The Hawks (8-1) outscored the Pistons 24-9 in the third quarter to grab the result by the throat with Field Williams and Everard Bartlett both scoring 18 points. They also get a crack at Nelson this week, at home on Friday.
Meanwhile, NZCT Taranaki Mountain Airs rebounded from a loss in Christchurch last night to inflict an 87-82 loss on the Otago Nuggets in Dunedin.
League scoring leader Garry Hill-Thomas was restricted to just 19 points, but fellow American Cody Toppert stepped up for 25 points to hold off a determined effort from the home team. American Branduinn Fullove (23 points/12 rebounds) and Tall Black candidate Miles Pearce (13/11) both had "double doubles" for the Nugs.
Taranaki (4-4) host the Stars next Friday, while Otago host Saints in next Friday's TV game.
National Basketball League latest results
NBS Nelson Giants 91 (Eric Freeman 32, Mika Vukona 25, Ed Book 17)
Appliance Shed Harbour Heat 78 (Troy McLean 28, Jamal Kendrick 13, David Hopoi 12)
Easy LPG Bay Hawks 81 (Field Williams 15, Everard Bartlett 15, Paora Winitana 10, Kareem Johnson 10)
Waikato Pistons 60 (Ben Hill 21)
Inspire Net Manawatu Jets 83 (Brad Davidson 36)
St Laurence Wellington Saints 80 (Terrence Lewis 20, Nick Horvath 19, Chris Anderson 18, Brendon Polyblank 16)
NZCT Taranaki Mountain Airs 87 (Cody Topper 25, Link Abrams 20, Garry Hill-Thomas 19)
Otago Nuggets 82 (Branduinn Fullove 28, Brandon Morris 18, Miles Pearce 13)
Grant Chapman