WINNING their fourth straight game, Taranaki Mountainairs proved too good for Franklin Bulls, storming to victory thanks to a dominant last term in their New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL). The Airs and Bulls engaged in a classic, with 12 lead changes over the first three quarters, before the home team stepped up to run away with the match at TSB Stadium. After trailing by seven at quarter time, the Airs scored 27-12 in the second term to take an eight-point lead, then held onto a single-point lead by the final break before piling on the impressive 25-9 to win 84-67.

TARANAKI AIRS 19 | 27 | 13 | 25 (84)
FRANKLIN BULLS 26 | 12 | 20 | 9 (67)

The opening term was symbolic of the overall match, with the Franklin Bulls racing out of the blocks to score 13 of the first 16 points. Following an Airs’ refresh at a timeout, the home team scored 15 of the next 19 points to lead 18-17 with a couple of minutes left in the opening term. Steadying after conceding that run, the Bulls scored nine consecutive points themselves and headed into quarter time with a 26-19 advantage.

Taranaki backed up that late flurry midway through the first term with a good second term, slowly clawing back the deficit and then blowing out the lead to a game-high 17 points on a couple of occasions in the term. The Airs ended up scoring 27-12 and taking a 46-38 lead over the Bulls, with some late efforts from the Bulls reducing the half-time margin back to eight. That late momentum again continued into the third term as the Bulls scored 20-13, even hitting the front with a few minutes to play, before the Airs steadied in the last couple of minutes to still hold a one-point lead at the final break.

The game was in the balance early in the fourth, but not for long, as the Airs piled on the first eight points of the quarter, and would not slow down, conceding just nine points for the quarter. Taranaki scored 25 points to nine for the 10 minutes to put an exclamation mark on the result, and record the equal game-high margin of 17 points during the 84-67 triumph.

Taranaki Airs dominated all the key stats, comfortably shooting at a high clip with 42 per cent from the field, including 39 per cent (13 of 24) from long-range, compared to the Bulls’ 34 and 33 per cent. The Airs also had more rebounds (50-38), assists (21-12) and blocks (6-3), as well as piling on more points in the paint (36-20). Committing less turnovers (12-15) and scoring 20 points to eight from turnovers, the Airs were the clear standout side on the night.

Javonte Douglas (23 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and four steals) was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) from the match, equalling the most points alongside Anthony Hilliard (23 points, five rebounds and four assists, also shooting five of 10 from three-point range. Shaun Willett picked up 11 points in 20 minutes off the bench, as well as six rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Tai Wynyard had 11 rebounds and five assists to go with five points.

For the Bulls, Corey Webster used all of his experience to come close to a triple-double, managing 23 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, but also seven turnovers. Kael Robinson (18 points, four rebounds and four steals) also contributed well, whilst Nathanial Potts (14 points, four rebounds and two assists) and Anzac Rissetto (10 points, two rebounds) were the other key scorers in the loss.

Franklin Bulls hit the road again tonight, taking on Manawatu Jets, while Taranaki Airs have an 11-day break before their next match, locking horns with Canterbury Rams on July 17.