Basketball: Otago complete season sweep of Airs with Hāwera win

File photo by John Velvin

The Taranaki Airs have slipped to a 90-77 loss to the Otago Nuggets, with the visitors' defensive pressure proving the difference at TSB Hub in Hāwera on Saturday.

A week after edging the Airs 91-87 in Dunedin, the Nuggets backed it up with another victory to complete the season sweep and strengthen their Finals 6 hopes.

The game started as a defensive battle, with both sides struggling to find their rhythm offensively. Otago gradually took control to lead 16-11 at quarter-time before extending their advantage to 39-29 by halftime.

The Airs showed signs of life in the second quarter, but the Nuggets continued to force turnovers and capitalised on Taranaki's mistakes at the other end.

Otago stretched its lead further in the third quarter as the Airs struggled to generate quality scoring opportunities against the visitors' relentless defence.

Trailing by 16 points entering the final quarter, Taranaki attempted to mount a comeback but Otago answered every challenge to close out the 13-point victory.

The teams combined for 27 steals in a contest dominated by defensive intensity.

Brandon Stroud led the Airs with 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while James Moors recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Aaron Cook Jr finished with 11 points, four assists and seven steals.

Buay Tuach top-scored for the Nuggets with 21 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Alain Louis added 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Ethan Rusbatch contributed 16 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Earlier, the Airs were beaten 43-34 by the Nuggets in the Rapid League curtain-raiser.

Nico Hill scored 10 points for Taranaki, while Taane Samuel added eight.

Zack McKenzie led Otago with 17 points and nine rebounds.