The Christchurch Cougars took their eyes off the ball to suffer their second loss of the National Basketball League season last night.
Possibly distracted by talk last week of their team's financial problems, Christchurch slumped to a heavy 82-99 loss to Waikato in Hamilton.
The physical Waikato team are alwaysa tough proposition on their home court, and they outplayed the southerners, who relinquished the league lead to Nelson.
Christchurch, with six wins from seven outings, still have two matches to make up on Nelson, who have won seven of nine.
Waikato, too, should be in the equation by season's end. They have hardly been busy through seven rounds, playing just five times for four wins, enough to have them placed fourth, four points back of Christchurch and Wellington.
Waikato have the best win percentage of 83.3 per cent.
The off-court issues dogging Christchurch were barely evident in the first quarter last night as they won the honours in that period 27-19 after being up 14 points with less than two minutes to play after Adrian Taylor hit a three-pointer.
Waikato came out after the resumption greater purpose to take the second quarter 27-19 and tie the game up at 46-46.
The home team's offence continued to fire in the second half while Christchurch lost their way.
Waikato pulled away from late in the third quarter and held a decisive break at 72-63 up entering the final stanza.
Thomas Abercrombie continued to impress for Waikato, leading all scorers with 26.
Michael Fitchett also had a strong game, contributing 19 points and providing seven assists.
For Christchurch, Trenton Wurtz shot 21 points and Tim Behrendorff had 17 points and 11 rebounds.
