Bulls, Nuggets defeat Panthers, Hawks
- Dave Worsley
- Mar 22
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 22
The Franklin Bulls have powered to a 3-0 winning record after two rounds of the Sal's NBL following their 107-93 win over the struggling Indian Panthers.
The Panthers, despite having a coaching switch after just one game and rumours of behind the scenes organisational issues stood up for themselves against the Bulls at their home venue of Pulman Arena.
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Australian Jonathan Goodman took over as Panthers coach and kept his side in the contest against their nearest neighbours.
Jaylen Gerrand made 29 with Alex Robinson Jr 23 points featuring seven rebounds and three steals.
Leon Henry scored nine for the Panthers including their first points at home, a three point jump shot.
For the Bulls, Tall Black Reuben Te Rangi put up 21 points as did American Naquante Hardy and Australian Wena Okwera 20 showing consistency across the court as a couple of other players also reached double figures.
The Panthers were down 22-27 after the first quarter but the second period escaped a little 18-27.
Going into the final quarter the Bulls were ahead 77-62 but the home side weren't finished nailing seven three pointers and keeping the pressure on as best they could before the depth told in favour of the Bulls.
The Bulls host the Hawks, Sunday 23 March, while the Panthers are at home against the Jets, also on Sunday.
Meanwhile the Nuggets are now 1-2 after a 93-86 victory over the Hawkes Bay Hawks at Rodney Green Arenas who are 2-1 for the season so far.
Donald Carey Jr stood out for the Nuggets with 34 points including five rebounds, but it was speed around the court that counted with three assists and two steals to catch out the Hawks.
For the Hawks it was import Darnell Cowart who topped the scoring with 24 and 10 rebounds followed by Clifton Bush III (11 rebounds) and teenager Jackson Ball with 19 each
The Logik Franklin Bull 107 (Reuben Te Rangi 21, Naquante Hardy 20, Wena Okwera 20) Indian Panthers 93 (Jaylen Gerrand 29, Alex Robinson Jr 23)
Night 'N Day Otago Nuggets 93 (Donald Carey Jr 34, Jose Perez 20 ) Big Barrel Hawks Bay Hawks 86 (Darnell Cowart 24, Clifton Bush III 19, Jackson Ball 19)