Basketball: Saints thump Otago

DUNEDIN - The Wellington Saints cruised to a 88-78 win over the winless Otago Nuggets in the National Basketball League here last night.

The loss extends Otago's losing streak to 12 matches.

Nuggets coach Bernd Kupka said his side lost the game through a mixture of inexperience and turnovers at crucial times.

"That is the story of the year. Too many second chances for the opposition," he said.

"I don't want to use it as an excuse but again we should not forget that we are playing very young guys against a very experienced team who know how to put pressure on the referees and on the opposition.

"They got every call they needed."

The Saints' Troy McLean top scored in the match with 25 points and Brendon Polybank put in a strong performance with 20 points and six rebounds.

Russell Hinder and Scott McGregor did their best to hold the Nuggets together. Hinder scored 14 points and made seven boards and McGregor scored 13 points and made nine rebounds.

It was an ugly first quarter which saw the homeside trail by a lonely point. With both sides turning the ball over regularly, the game never flowed.

Tonight in the NBL:

* The Nuggets head north to Christchurch, to play the Canterbury Rams

* The Hawks meet the Titans at Taradale

* Auckland play Nelson at Trusts Stadium, Henderson

- nzpa