Bulls march Saints out of the NBL Playoffs

The Franklin Bulls have mercilessly dumped the Wellington Saints out of the National Basketball League (NBL) Playoffs.

The fifth-seeded Bulls marched into Wellington's TSB Arena on Friday night and strolled out with a one-sided 104-67 win over the No 4 Saints, setting up a semifinal matchup against the Auckland Tuatara on Wednesday.

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Import forward Luther Muhammad was again immense for the Bulls, putting up a game-high 29 points (13/16 FG, 3/3 3pt), with seven rebounds, three assists and two steals in a team-high 34 minutes.

Tall Blacks shooting guard Ethan Rusbatch provided the support, with 19 points (6/15 FG, 4/10 3pt, 3/6 FT) and six boards, while import guard Josh Scott had 13 points (3/7 FG, 6/7 FT), six rebounds and three assists off the bench.

Kiwi big Sam Timmins added 11 points (5/6 FG), 11 rebounds and three assists and the Bulls' third import, Lee Skinner, 10 points (3/5 FG, 2/4 3pt) and four boards.

Hyrum Harris was the standout for the Saints, who shot an anemic 36 percent (25-of-69) from the field and nine percent (3-of-31) on three-point attempts. He finished with 21 points (7/10 FG, 6/8 FT), six boards and four steals.

Josh Scott (right) and Luther Muhammad celebrate during the Franklin Bulls' win over the Saints. PHOTO: DAVE LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY

Tall Blacks guard Izayah Le'afa had 12 points (4/16 FG, 3/3 FT) and five assists, and Taane Samuel 11 points (5/8 FG) and four rebounds off the bench, while imports Terry Henderson Jr and Ben Ayre were held in check.

The Bulls never trailed and led by as many as 16 points in the first quarter. They stretched that out to almost 30 points after dominating the second period, with Muhammad scoring the team's first 16 points.

After the Bulls went up by 32 in the third, the Saints were able to close the gap to 21 points late in the period, but the visitors surged again in the fourth, with threes from Isaac Davidson and Rusbatch putting them up 88-58 with 6:39 remaining.

On Sunday, the defending and regular season champion Canterbury Rams host the Taranaki Airs at Christchurch's Cowles Stadium (tip-off 3pm).

Franklin Bulls 104 (Luther Muhammad 29, Ethan Rusbatch 19, Josh Scott 13, Sam Timmins 11, Lee Skinner 10) Wellington Saints 67 (Hyrum Harris 21, Izayah Le'afa 12, Taane Samuel 11). 1Q: 25-13, HT: 57-33, 3Q: 78-53