Basketball: Last-gasp comeback quashed

By MURRAY MCKINNON

Desperate three-point shots from Bryan Christianson were not enough for Auckland to retain the New Zealand Basketball Challenge Trophy, going down to Nelson 91-93 in the dying seconds.

The home side led 56-43 at the break on Saturday night and raced to an 18-point advantage at the start of the third quarter after Auckland ran into foul trouble.

Pero Cameron and Matt Barnett then turned the game around for Auckland, who trailed by six going into the final quarter.

With seven minutes remaining, Auckland hit the front, 80-79. But with 83s left, Nelson's James Hamilton shot a three-pointer followed by two from the free throw and a lay-up to hold Auckland out.

Hamilton was Nelson's top scorer, with 34. Phill Jones was on 15, Judd Flavell 13 and Tony Rampton 11.

For Auckland, Christianson finished with 25, Barnett 22 and Cameron 20.

In the national league games, there were no surprises. Palmerston North and Wellington both enhanced their final playoff chances.

The Palmerston North Jets, with their American import Rick Randall on a 45-point rampage, thrashed Hawkes Bay 144-103, while Wellington powered their way to a 111-92 victory over Canterbury.