Otago Nuggets are Sal’s NBL Champions!

     AUCKLAND – The Otago Nuggets captured the 2020 Sal’s New Zealand National Basketball League (NBL) Showdown by outlasting the very tough Manawatu Jets, 79-77, at the Trusts Arena Saturday.  Jordan Ngatai and the Nuggets woke up in time after the Jets effectively controlled the first three periods.

Ngatai, the top pick in the draft held prior to the season, picked up two quick fouls and was limited to only eight minutes in the first and sat out the second as the Jets surged ahead, 41-37.  Big baskets by Thomas Vodanavich gave Manawatu the 55-52 edge entering the fourth until Ngatai starred in an 11-0 opening blast to grab control, 63-55.

The Jets refused to fold and continued to rally in the remaining seven minutes as Jayden Bezzant scored to cut the gap to only a point with a minute on the clock, 77-78.  Otago then committed a 24-second shot clock violation but Manawatu could not capitalize as Ngatai blocked Hyrum Harris.

Not yet in the penalty, the Jets gave up back to back fouls to send Joshua Aitcheson to the free throw line with 13 ticks to go.  Aitcheson made his first and missed his second with Vodanovich collaring the defensive rebound but Nelson Kirksey missed the potential championship-winning triple and Ngatai fittingly grabbed the defensive rebound to seal the deal at the buzzer.

Jordan Hunt led the Nuggets with 21 points and seven rebounds while Aitcheson had 15 points and six rebounds.  Richard Rodger of the University of the East had eight points off the bench including a field that gave his side the 74-67 cushion at the four-minute mark.

Vodanovich played the entire 40 minutes for 24 points and 10 rebounds followed by Harris with 19 points and 12 rebounds.  Former De La Salle University Green Archer Taane Samuel had nine points.

How They Scored:

OTAGO (79) – Hunt 21, Aitcheson 16, Keil 15, Ngatai 11, Rodger 8, Kenny 6, McBirney-Griffin 2, Knox 0, Hayman 0, Bardsley 0.

MANAWATU (79) – Vodanovich 24, Harris 19, Kirksey 11, Bezzant 9, Samuel 9, Marsich-Mullins 3, McQueen 2, Fee 0.

Period Scores: 15-17, 37-41, 52-55, 79-77.