Basketball: Auckland outlast Taranaki

Auckland survived a bruising National Basketball League battle to beat Taranaki 68-65 in Auckland last night.

A scrappy, low-scoring affair had little for the purists but the closeness of the scores maintained interest until the end.

The result saw Auckland improve to eight wins and six losses for the season while Taranaki are now 7-7.

Auckland led 31-30 at halftime and were seemingly in the box seat when 49-41 with the final quarter to play.

But Taranaki boxed clever, and clawed their way back before a series of free throws towards the end tipped the outcome Auckland's way.

Their leading scorer was Casey Frank with 14 points, while Reece Cassidy contributed 13 and Jonathon Shepherd 10.

Taranaki were best served by Keith Salscheider with 13, Tony Rampton 11 and Ben Jeffrey 10.

- NZPA