Basketball: Saints end eight-year drought with hard-fought victory

By MURRAY McKINNON

The changing rooms at the Unitec stadium told the story after the Wellington Saints' 76-72 victory over Auckland at the weekend.

There was jubilation from the Saints' room, but the home team, whose chances of retaining their national league title have slipped further, were locked away for a sombre dressing-down by disappointed coach Tab Baldwin.

It was Wellington's first victory over Auckland since 1993.

"After 18 games in eight years, we had to get one, one day," said their delighted coach, Mike Ogilvie-Lee.

"I believed the boys would do it," he said. "I told them to keep calm, execute well and just keep going."

Auckland hit hard in the first quarter, with Mason Le Pou slotting three three-pointers and Daryl Cartwright chiming in under the basket to help their team to a 17-9 lead.

But Wellington drew level with eight unanswered points through Aiden Daly and Terrance Lewis, the latter keen to impress in his bid to make the Tall Blacks.

Auckland did not start well in the second quarter.

Shots failed to connect as the Saints defence forced them to go to the limit of the 24s shooting restriction.

A three-pointer from Auckland's new guard, Aaron Olsen, put the home team ahead 30-29, but Kenny Perkins kept Wellington on attack and the half ended 38-all.

Ben Pepper, Auckland's 2.11m centre, played a solid third quarter, scoring 12 points, but uncharacteristically missed two vital points from the free throw.

Le Pou was also unable to get it right, missing six attempts from the three-point line.

Captain Dillon Boucher, as well as usually accurate guard Paul Henare, were having nightmare games.

With 1m 11s left it was 72-all, and further missed shots by Auckland gave Wellington possession.

The winning four points came through free throws from Tony Brown and Perkins.

Lewis top-scored for the Saints with 23, and Pepper was Auckland's best with 19.

Auckland assistant coach Adrian Boyd said the team's shooting percentages - 22 per cent from the three-point line and 33 per cent from field goals - were abysmal.

"We are the most hated team out there and the teams we play give 110 per cent, and if we don't give that back we lose," Boyd said.

"The guys need to get off easy street and into the gym. Like last season, we are up against the wall again.

"We need a loss like this to come right and find out if we can play at our best."

In other results, the Nelson Giants won an on-the-road double.

They beat Palmerston North 67-63 after a 75-65 win over Hawkes Bay the previous evening in Napier.

Otago finally broke their drought this season, scoring their first win after 12 games with an upset 97-88 victory over North Harbour.