Basketball: Waikato thrash Pirates

Thomas Abercrombie. Photo / Andrew Warner

Auckland's tough initiation into the National Basketball League continued last night as they were humbled 108-77 by an in-form Waikato in a mismatch on their home court.

The Pirates, a new identity who are struggling in their first year of the competition, were effectively out of the match after the first quarter when the visitors led 31-13 on the back of a supreme display from Breakers and Tall Blacks swingman Thomas Abercrombie, who had 15 points by the end of the first 10 minutes.

Waikato stretched their lead to lead 54-28 at halftime as import Jerry Smith took over control from Abercrombie and they continued to rub Auckland's noses in it in the second stanza, running away with their ninth win from 12 matches to join Wellington in second place on 18 points, two behind leaders Hawke's Bay.

Smith ended with a game-high 23 points while Abercrombie added 19. Alex Pledger had a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds while guard Jason Crowe scored 11 points with nine assists as Waikato won their sixth successive match.

Far better teams than Auckland would have tasted defeat tonight in the face of a superb all-round showing from the star-laden Waikato team, though that will be of scant consolation to the home team as they slumped to an eighth loss from 11 matches.

Import Kevin Mickens led the way for Auckland with 21 points.

- NZPA