Basketball: Saints show some stars

Wellington Saints revealed a new depth of talent in opening their National Basketball League season in style with an 89-78 overtime win over the Auckland Stars in Wellington last night.

Forward Brendon Polyblank headlined the home team's effort with a game-high 26 points.

The game took a dramatic late turn after the Stars' best player, Lindsay Tait, banked in a high-arcing three-pointer with three seconds to play to tie the scores at 72-72 and force the game into extra time.

But the Saints were the cooler heads in overtime as the Stars gave up easy fouls and Wellington put in 10 free throws to take the win.

* New Zealand Breakers star Michael Chappell spearheaded the Waikato Titans to a 77-69 victory over Hawkes Bay's Mighty Hawks in Napier last night.

Chappell scored 28 points and hauled down 10 rebounds as Waikato led 46-30 at halftime and capitalised on a poor night for Hawkes Bay. Hawkes Bay closed to within four points in the final quarter before Chappell struck a three-pointer in the final minutes.

- NZPA