Basketball: Harbour ousted in tight contest

Canterbury, the team with the worst three-point shooting percentage in the national basketball league, defied statistics in ousting North Harbour 80-75 in the semi-finals last night.

In the other match-up, top qualifiers Auckland confirmed their rating to edge out the Wellington Saints 79-70 to move into today's final in Christchurch.

Auckland gained a measure of control in the second half of a tight, physical clash.

Robert Wilson and Dave Langrell landed three three-pointers apiece in the last two quarters to ease Canterbury ahead after the Rams, while being ahead for most of the match, could never quite shake North Harbour off.

Canterbury coach Bert Knops said the match was typical of play-off basketball - a tight, at times rugged, battle.

"But that's what we have been used to playing all season, that grinding style of game."

Harbour coach Tracy Carpenter lamented some of his side's perimeter shooting.

Auckland 79 (I. Inosa 20, D. Boucher 11, S. Benson 11, P. Cameron 9, P. Henare 9, K. Stone 8, H. Smyth 7, S. Mesritz 4) bt Wellington 70 (T. Lewis 24, A. Gardiner 14, D. McCray 13, T. Brown 9, S. Rapson 6, W. Adams 2, M. Opie 2).

Canterbury 80 (R. Wilson 26, D. Langrell 15, R. Hickey 14, C. Bush 11, C. Varricchio 6, C. Farrant 4, J. Kyle 3, R. Manahi 1) North Harbour 75 (C. Ensminger 20, B. Cathie-Pongia 17, K. Penney 16, D. Daniels 7, J. Daniels 5, A. Parke 5, K. Stephenson 3, K. Perkins 2). - NZPA