Bulls come back to end Airs season!

Result: Franklin Bulls (84) defeat Taranaki Airs (81)

In a game of dramatic momentum swings, the Franklin Bulls erased a double-digit halftime deficit to defeat the Taranaki Airs.

The Airs came out firing on all cylinders, building a 22-15 lead after the first quarter and stretching their advantage to 49-32 by halftime thanks to sharp shooting and balanced scoring. Taranaki appeared to be in complete control, but the Bulls emerged from the break with a renewed sense of urgency. The Bulls exploded for 34 points in the third quarter, with Jace Carter and Derrin Boyd catching fire from beyond the arc to spark the comeback.

Carter's three-pointer with just over four minutes left in the period cut the deficit to 12, and by the end of the quarter, the Bulls had trimmed the Airs' lead to a single point at 67-66.

The fourth quarter was a tense, back-and-forth battle that came down to the final seconds.

The lead changed hands multiple times, with Kael Robinson stepping up for the Bulls, hitting clutch free throws and a crucial three-pointer to keep his team ahead. With the score tied at 80-80, Carter Whitt found Derrin Boyd for a go-ahead three-pointer with 52 seconds remaining, giving the Bulls an 83-80 lead. The Airs' James Moors made one of two free throws to cut it to 83-81, but Robinson calmly sank a free throw of his own with four seconds left making it 84-81 but a steal by Kael Robinson from the inbound pass in the final two seconds sealed the win for the home side

For the Bulls, Boyd and Carter were instrumental in the second-half surge, combining for multiple three-pointers and clutch plays, while Robinson provided a steadying presence on both ends of the floor. The Airs were led by strong performances from Taane Samuel, James Moors, and Marcel Jones, but they were unable to maintain their first-half momentum as Franklin's defensive pressure and outside shooting proved too much down the stretch.

Leading Players:Franklin Bulls: Charter Whitt (20p, 6r, 11a), Derrin Boyd (20p, 3r, 5a), Jace Carter (17p, 16r)

Rapid League game:Result: Oilhub.co.nz Franklin Bulls (35) are defeated by Taranaki Airs (42)

After a 7-7 first quarter, the second quarter would find the Airs turning on the jets and finding their scoring. Jerome Tamatea would lead the squad as would put up 14 points in the 2nd while holding the home side Bulls to just 5. The Bulls would eat into that lead as they'd put up 12 points in the third quarter while holding the Airs to 8. With an opportunity to steal the game away, the Bulls make a run into the fourth quarter and close the gap to 3. With less than a minute left, the Airs would bring the lead up to 5. The Bulls wouldn't be able to convert the opportunity and the Airs would take the win. 

Leading Players:Oilhub.com Franklin Bulls: Harry Kelso (11p), Hunter Savill (10p,3r, 3a)