BULLS SPLIT SOUTHERN SWING 1 and 1

Result: Night ‘n Day Otago Nuggets (93) are defeated by Franklin Bulls (94)

The Nuggets and Bulls would deliver one of the best finishes of the season in Dunedin, with the visiting side escaping by a single point after a wild final minute. Otago looked to be in control for large stretches, building a 52-47 halftime lead before pushing the margin to 11 midway through the fourth quarter. Craig Moller would be excellent across the night, impacting the game as a scorer, rebounder and passer, while the Nuggets also got key contributions from Tyson Thata-Paese, Ethan Rusbatch, Matthew Bardsley and Zach McKenzie.

But the Bulls would refuse to go away. Carter Whitt began to find his rhythm in the fourth, scoring repeatedly off the bounce as Franklin chipped away at the deficit. Kael Robinson would also come up with big buckets and work on the glass, while Jace Carter continued to make winning plays at both ends. With Otago leading by four inside the final three minutes, the Bulls would close the gap through a Carter three, a Boyd basket and then a massive late defensive stop. Buay Tuach put the Nuggets back in front with two free throws with 16 seconds remaining, but Franklin would have the final say. Derrin Boyd found Carter Whitt in the final second, and Whitt knocked down the game-winning fadeaway despite having Ethan Rusbatch draped all over him to complete the comeback and give the Bulls a dramatic, and sorely needed, road win.

Leading PlayersNight ‘n Day Otago Nuggets: Craig Moller (16p, 8r, 6a, 3s), Tyson Thata-Paese (15p, 4r), Matthew Bardsley (14p), Ethan Rusbatch (13p, 4r, 4a), Buay Tuach (13p, 4r, 3a, 2s)Franklin Bulls: Carter Whitt (28p, 3a), Kael Robinson (20p, 10r, 2s), Jace Carter (17p, 13r, 4a), Derrin Boyd (14p, 5a), Dominique Kelman-Poto (11p, 4r, 4a)

Sal’s NBL Box Score

MVP Votes:

Carter Whitt (Bulls) - 10

Craig Moller (Nuggets) - 7

Jace Carter (Bulls) - 4

Kael Robinson (Bulls) - 4

Tyson Thata-Paese (Nuggets)  - 3

Ethan Rusbatch (Nuggets) - 2

Rapid League:Result: Night ‘n Day Otago Nuggets (38) defeat Franklin Bulls (33)

The Nuggets would take control early in this Rapid League contest and hold off a late push from the Bulls to secure the home win. Otago’s balance would prove important, with Harrison Bezett providing the scoring punch while Oak Chisholm and Zach McKenzie helped keep the scoreboard moving at key moments. The Bulls were able to stay within reach through Harrison Kelso, Ellis Biggar and Hunter Savill, but they struggled to find enough consistent offence to fully close the gap.

The Nuggets would enter the final period ahead 29-25 and kept the Bulls at arm’s length down the stretch. Biggar helped Franklin keep contact with a couple of late baskets, but Chisholm’s three-pointer inside the final two minutes pushed the Nuggets lead back out to nine and gave the home side enough breathing room. Biggar would add a late dunk, but the Nuggets had done enough to close out the win.

Leading Players

Night ‘n Day Otago Nuggets: Harrison Bezett (14p, 4r, 2a), Oak Chisholm (11p, 2r, 2s, 1b), Zach McKenzie (6p, 2r, 2a), Patrick Tipene (5p)

Franklin Bulls: Harrison Kelso (8p), Ellis Biggar (8p, 5r), Hunter Savill (6p, 4r, 3a), Corey Perry (6p, 3r, 2a), Payton Hughes (3p, 5r, 2s)

Rapid League Box Score

Rapid League MVP Votes:

Harrison Bezett (Nuggets) - 10

Oak Chisholm (Nuggets) - 7

Harrison Kelso (Bulls) - 7

Ellis Biggar (Bulls) - 2

Hunter Savill (Bulls) - 2

Patrick Tipene (Nuggets) - 1

Zach McKenzie (Nuggets) - 1