Basketball: Saints hold on to take national title

Wellington Saints shut out an unlikely last-minute Waikato Pistons comeback in Wellington last night to secure the national basketball title with an 82-79 win.

The Saints levelled the best-of-three National Basketball League series on Wednesday in Wellington with a 98-69 win, after a lack-lustre effort in Hamilton the previous night resulted in an 80-74 loss to the two-time defending champions.

Last night, after a sluggish first half, the Saints eased away in the last quarter and were cruising home in the final minute of play.

But a 10-point lead suddenly disappeared after three Hayden Allen three-pointers in the closing 30 seconds.

With the Pistons on shooting fouls, the Saints' accuracy from the free-throw line was suddenly all that was keeping the game in their grasp, and their premature victory celebrations ground to a halt.

Former Waikato guard Eric Devendorf came to the rescue, sinking two from the free-throw line to steady the ship and secure the win.

"This has been a long time for us," Saints point guard Lindsay Tait said afterwards. "We've been close the last couple of years, but to come back and win it - it's awesome."

- NZPA