Basketball: Auckland back at top of the pack after win

Defending champions Auckland are back in familiar territory on top the National Basketball League standings.

An 85-79 win over Manawatu in Palmerston North was their sixth consecutive victory and lifted Auckland into the lead following the sixth week of the competition.

Auckland have an 8-1 season record to leave them two points clear of Hawke's Bay and four ahead of Nelson and Wellington.

Auckland had things in their favour in Palmerston North where they met a depleted Manawatu side.

American Josh Nigut's 19 points led a balanced scoresheet for the victors as the defending champions ran up a 45-31 halftime lead and held off a rally from the home side.

Manawatu were without injured American Ryan Randle, who strained a calf during their overtime loss to Hawke's Bay last week.

At the other end of the scale, bottom-placed Otago finally had cause for cheer when they recorded their first win of the season, 100-81 over North Harbour in Dunedin.

American Branduinn Fullove scored 21 points for Otago, who snatched the initiative with a 30-23 second quarter and rammed home their advantage in the final quarter when outscoring the visitors 27-18.

Forward Miles Pearce continued his fine form with 18 points and journeyman Matt Gillan produced 17 to end a nine-game losing streak for Otago.

North Harbour had secured their first road win of the season on Friday in Christchurch, but could not reproduce that form despite import Jamal Kendrick scoring 26 points in his second outing for the side.

Wellington won their third consecutive game and completed a road doubleheader by beating Taranaki 83-80 in New Plymouth.

They led 29-15 after the first quarter and held on as the home team outscored them in each of the final three quarters.

Forward Brendon Polyblank paced Wellington with 22 points while American Garry Hill-Thomas led all scorers with 30 points for Taranaki, and new import Cody Toppert debuted with 15 points.

Nelson improved to third place with a fine 86-72 home win over Canterbury yesterday.

Nelson were helped by the influence of veteran centre Ed Book, who guided them home with 21 points and 10 rebounds after they pulled clear with a 28-15 finish in the fourth quarter.

The hosts suffered an early setback when starting point guard Mike Fitchett left the court with an ankle injury in the first quarter.

They also had to overcome 41 points from Canterbury import Dennis Trammell, the highest individual points tally this season.

Tall Black Mika Vukona also contributed a "double double" of 14 points and 15 rebounds to Nelson's cause.

- NZPA