Basketball: Auckland sqeak home ahead of Otago

Auckland can be thankful they squeaked out of their national basketball league game against Otago with an 89-88 win at home last night.

With seven seconds remaining and trailing by three points, Otago Nuggets forward Mark Mullany-Bracewell put up a successful long-range shot that looked for all the world like a three-pointer to tie the game. It was ruled a two and Auckland hung on.

The Nuggets had not been that impressive in two opening losses this season.

But a bye last week had given them a chance to regroup and the addition of American guard Ron Grady was a further boost coming into their northern doubleheader.

They began the better, opening up a 32-18 advantage over the first quarter and led 50-40 at halftime.

But Auckland took the third quarter 33-13 and held out in the final quarter for their narrow victory.

Tonight, Otago play the Harbour Kings at North Shore.