Basketball: US import puts seal on big Auckland win

By MURRAY McKINNON

Auckland have crushed Wellington 120-81 to clinch the final spot in the national basketball league semifinals.

The character of the Rebel Sport Auckland team, who have won the national title four times in the past five years, shone through.

They played with passion, commitment and a desire to win at their home court at Unitec Mt Albert.

American import Bryan Christiansen stamped Auckland's authority on the game with 16 points in the first quarter, which included four three-pointers.

The task was cut and dried - one team would make the semifinals and the other would be having an early summer break.

Christiansen, from Utah, made sure he stayed on in Auckland for a few more weeks, elevating his side to a 30-18 lead, which was extended to 59-41 at the break.

"I've finally learned the system here and I am thriving on it," said an elated Christiasen.

"We gel as a team and have peaked going into the playoffs. We now have to stay focused."

Pero Cameron controlled the offensive rebounds in the second half, scoring under heavy Saints' defence.

Paul Henare, also fresh from the Tall Blacks' victory in Taiwan, directed the play from point guard, executing a three-pointer and a lay-up steal from a dazed Wellington side.

Captain Dillion Boucher and Simon Mesritz worked well with some tricky passing, Boucher contributing 11 and Mesritz 10.

The final wrapup for Auckland was completed by Mason Le Pou, Daryl Cartwright and Daniel Barritt.

Wellington, realising it was all over, gave the rest of their bench a run, reducing their scoring to 6 in the last six minutes.

Christiansen top-scored with 26, one better than Cameron, with Henare on 13.

Andrew Gardiner and Charles Jones were the best for Wellington with 19.

Auckland coach Tab Baldwin looked a happier man than he was three weeks ago.

"It was a good performance, well executed," he said. "We haven't been a 48-minute basketball team for some time."

Wellington coach Natu Taufale said Auckland played exceptional basketball.

"We had hoped it would be a close game, but they showed their class. They handle pressure well, turn the ball over a lot, and out-rebounded us.

"I think they will win the final, even though they have come from behind this season."

Tall Blacks Tony Rampton and Phil Jones led the Nelson Giants to a 113-105 victory over Hawkes Bay and the Waikato Warriors kept their unbeaten home court season intact, downing North Harbour Kings 115-111.

Tall Black reject Chris Tupu stunned the Kings early in the final quarter with three three-pointers.

The Canterbury Rams, who upset North Harbour 10 weeks ago, scored their only other victory this season with a match-winning basket in the closing seconds to beat Otago Nuggets 95-94.

North Harbour confirmed their No 1 placing for the season by beating Palmerston North Jets 105-95 on their home court yesterday.

Harbour, with a series of three-pointers from Dylan Chase, Brendon Cathie-Pongia and newcomer Mark Dickel, were ahead 26-21 after the first quarter.

They extended their lead to 55-44 at the break after Robert Wilson proved vital in blocking the Jets big player Ed Book.

Palmerston North, with power play from Rick Randall, whirled into life to lead 60-57, before Cathie-Pongia and Dickel directed play back to North Harbour.

Purnell Perry showed some of his early-season sparkle in the final quarter and, although not 100 per cent fit, finished with 21.

Wilson top-scored with 23. Dickel followed on 16 and then Brad Riley on 15.

Kent Mori was the best for the Jets with 19. Randall and Book both had 15.

The Waikato Warriors will play the Nelson Giants in the first of the semifinals on Friday night, with the Kings facing a tough challenge in the other semifinal against Auckland.