In a thrilling matchup, the Auckland-based squad edged out their opponents 81-79 in their home opener, extending the visitors’ winless streak to three games. The hosts struggled to find their footing in the first quarter, trailing by as many as 10 points. However, a pivotal 11-0 run in the fourth quarter, sparked by a pair of clutch baskets from team leader Parker Jackson-Cartwright, proved to be the difference-maker.
Jackson-Cartwright, a strong contender for the league’s top honor, finished with an impressive 19 points, seven assists, and four steals. His efforts were complemented by a strong performance from Matt Hurt, who sank a crucial three-pointer in the final seconds to bring the visitors within a single point.
Despite the narrow loss, star recruit Nathan Sobey finally found his rhythm, posting 24 points on 47% shooting accuracy. Sobey’s momentum was halted when he missed an easy transition opportunity in the final minute, leaving his team with a daunting task.
The visitors’ struggles were further compounded by the quiet performance of championship winner Derrick Walton, who didn’t score until the final 70 seconds of the third quarter. Both Sobey and Walton fouled out in the final minute, leaving their team without a steady hand to guide them back into the game.
In other news, centre Freddie Gillespie made his return from a pre-season suspension, contributing five points and four rebounds to the winning effort. The Auckland-based squad will now head to the US for a series of friendlies against top-tier teams, while their opponents will look to break their losing streak on the road against Adelaide on Thursday.
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