Basketball: Waikato ends Manawatu's unbeaten run

The Waikato Titans held off a late revival from the Manawatu Jets to hand the NBL leaders their first loss of the season in Te Awamutu last night.

The Titans gained revenge for a loss in Palmerston North last week with an 81-78 victory inspired by a huge game from Australian import Geordie Cullen.

In 26 minutes on court the 2.10m tall Australian NBL star, who is fast becoming a Waikato crowd favourite, scored 20 points, collected 10 rebounds and made five steals.

Early pressure on the Jets' dangerous long-range shooters, who hurt Waikato so badly last week, put them off their stride enough for the Titans to take a 22-19 first-quarter advantage, which they never relinquished.

The Titans went into halftime up 48-34 but then incredible shooting, particularly from guard Stacey Lambert, who shot nine from 14 attempts for 26 points, helped the Jets narrow the gap to create a tense finish.

Mike Chappell was brilliant at times for the Titans with three three-pointers in his 25 points overall.

Waikato Titans 81 (Mike Chappell 25, Geordie Cullen 20, Pero Cameron 12)

Manawatu Jets 78 (Stacey Lambert 26, Kent Mori 19, Jonathon Southey 13)