Despite scoring just 20 points in the second half, the Franklin Bulls recorded their second win of the National Basketball League (NBL) season.
In a game where both teams shot at less than 40 percent from the field, the Bulls held on for a 65-61 Sal’s NBL win over the Tauranga Whai in Pukekohe on Monday night.
LATEST HEADLINES:
American guard Tae Hardy was a standout for the Bulls, with a game-high 19 points (7/17 FG, 3/4 3pt), six rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Tall Blacks forward Reuben Te Rangi had 13 points (5/10 FG), nine boards and three assists, and German centre Till Gloger 10 points (3/7 FG, 4/4 FT) and four boards.
The Bulls’ new import, Australian forward David Okwera, had an impact off the bench, with eight points, eight rebounds, four steals and three blocks.
For the Whai, Carter Hopoi led the way with 13 points (3/10 FG, 7/8 FT) and six boards, while Kruz Perrott-Hunt had 11 points (3/11 FG).
Tauranga’s three imports - Chris Jones, Sean Bairstow and recent addition Talib Zanna - combined for just 19 points on 7-of-25 shooting.
Overall, the Whai shot just 31 percent from the floor, including 17 percent (5-of-28) on three point attempts. The Bulls, playing without Tall Black Ethan Rusbatch, hit 39 percent and 36 percent.
The Bulls (2-0) host the Hawke’s Bay Hawks (2-0) at The Stockyard on Sunday (tip-off 1pm), while the Whai (1-1) welcome the Nuggets (0-1) to Mount Maunganui on Wednesday (tip-off 7pm).
Meanwhile, the Whai scored a 30-27 win in the earlier Sky Broadband Rapid League game. Jayden Bezzant had 13 points and Xanda Marsters six points and seven boards.
Franklin Bulls 65 (Tae Hardy 19, Reuben Te Rangi 13, Till Gloger 10) Tauranga Whai 61 (Carter Hopoi 13, Kruz Perrott-Hunt 11). 1Q: 22-16, HT: 45-34, 3Q: 55-49