Nelson basketbailers win

Press, 12 June 1984, Page 29

Nelson basketbailers win

Bowater Nissan-Nelson had to have two periods of extra time before beating Kennerley Video-Hamilton, 87-80, in a Countrywide men’s basketball league game at Nelson on Sunday. It was Hamilton second’s loss of its week-end South Island tour, having being beaten 98-92 by 3ZM Canterbury in Christchurch the previous evening. Nelson led 45-35 at halftime, but then its shooting lapsed and a Hamilton threepointer with a minute left tied the scores at 71-all at the finish. At the end of the first period of overtime the scores were again equal, 75-all, but Hamilton went to pieces in the second period and Nelson scored 12 points to Hamilton’s five to win 87-80 and stay among the front runners for championship honours. The Nelson coach, Dave Taylor, was reasonably satisfied with the success, although he said the shooting was not as good as previously. “Still, after being down 55-58 at one stage of the second half the team fought back well and from then on in it was practically basket for basket.” Jacques Tuz top-scored for Nelson with 38 points and

Brent Wright got 13. Zack Jones (33 points) and his fellow American, Mark Davis (17), led Hamilton's scoring. “Hamilton fell to pieces in the extra periods,” said Mr Taylor, “and this was a benefit for us.”

Nelson's next game is against Napier at Napier at the week-end. “This could be the turning point for Nelson,” Mr Taylor said. “If we beat them we have an excellent chance of making the final next month.”