Basketball: Boucher a star

Dillon Boucher made a shock return last night to help the Auckland Stars to a 83-74 NBL victory over the Nelson Giants.

The Stars came out on top of a seesaw contest in which they trailed by 11 points in the first quarter and then saw a 12-point final quarter lead cut to just one with 2m 45s remaining.

Faron Hand tormented the Stars all night to lead the Giants with 28 points but the introduction of Boucher late in the first quarter proved the difference.

Boucher showed no sign of an injury coach Kenny Stone said would keep him out of action for several weeks, scoring with his first touch as the Stars went on a 16-2 run that saw them turn a 17-24 quarter-time deficit into a 37-36 halftime lead.

The Stars (3-1) stretched their lead in the final quarter but had to survive a nervy final few minutes for their second win over the Giants in five days. Danny Lambert led the Stars' scorers with 19 points and 10 rebounds.