NBL Standings
AUCKLAND (NBL) - Forward Brendon Polyblank helped St Laurence Wellington Saints boost their National Basketball League semifinal chances with an 83-80 upset of NBS Nelson Giants in Nelson.
Polyblank led all scorers with 26 points (12/19 FG, 1/3 3pt, 1/2 FT), adding nine rebounds and four assists, as Saints continued their impressive away form this season, improving their record on the road to 5-1.
Nelson enjoyed an eight-point advantage after the opening quarter, but their guests turned the momentum around with a 24-14 second period and held on over the second half. The Giants actually held a three-point edge inside the final three minutes and were still ahead with little over a minute remaining, before Saints point guard George Leafa scored the basket that put his side in front for good.
After a season in Italy, Tall Black Phill Jones arrived in Nelson earlier in the day and saw immediate action, scoring eight points (2/8 FG, 2/5 3pt, 2/2 FT) in 22 minutes. National team-mate Mika Vukona led the Giants with 20 points, but American Eric Freeman, averaging 21.8 points this season, struck early foul trouble and was restricted to just six points.
Wellington improved their overall record to 7-4 with victory, tightening their grip on fourth place on the competition table. They proceed down the South Island to face Scenic Circle Canterbury Rams in the TV game on Friday, then Otago Nuggets the next day.
Meanwhile, Nelson (7-3) cross Cook Strait for the Hawks/Inspire Net Manawatu Jets double.
St Laurence Wellington Saints 83 (Brendon Polyblank 26, Nick Horvath 21, Terrence Lewis 14)
NBS Nelson Giants 80 (Mika Vukona 20, Ed Book 13, Josh Pace 13, Michael Fitchett 11)