Nelson 69 Waikato 81
Waikato flexed their considerable muscle to steal an early march on Nelson in the National Basketball League finals series last night.
The reigning champions went 1-0 up in the best-of-three series with a 81-69 success in Nelson, a resounding result which owed a great deal to their physically uncompromising and pragmatic approach.
With point guard Michael Fitchett on fire with seven three-pointers helping him to 21 points, Waikato are now just one win away from retaining their title.
It is an achievement well within their grasp as they eye the second match at home in the rural township of Te Awamutu on Thursday night.
Waikato signalled their intent early, using their big men to suffocate the Nelson shooters while nailing open shots at the other end to rush out to a 20-9 lead.
They successfully double teamed Nelson dangerman Phill Jones, restricting the noted marksman to a solitary three-pointer in the first half which ended with Waikato in front 40-34, aided in no small part from four three-pointers by Michael Fitchett.
The former Nelson Giant point guard knocked in another two from long distance in the third quarter as Waikato held the hosts at bay before entering the final stanza leading 65-48.
Nelson's predicament was bleak enough but it worsened when they lost the services of starting guard Jarryd Lloyd for 10 minutes after he injured his neck when falling heavily to the floor.
They required a minor miracle to overhaul such a deficit and it was not forthcoming.
Fireworks did explode, though, when Nelson international Tony Rampton and Mike Homik were ejected from the court after wrestling one another to the floor in a flurry of twisted arms.
Neither man was seen to throw a punch but match officials directed them off the court anyway, an action which probably cost Nelson more than Waikato.
Their ejection meant both automatically have to serve a one-match suspension, ruling them out of Thursday's rematch.
Nelson's energy levels lifted as they dragged themselves to within 10 points at 57-67 with a touch over six minutes remaining.
Waikato captain Pero Cameron paid tribute to Fitchett after the match.
"Fitch is a great shooter and he stepped up to the mark. He had some open shots.
"It baffles me a little why they'd leave him open because he's the best shooter in the league."
Power forward Adam Ballinger was also strong for Waikato, particularly down the stretch as he finished with 22 points.
Nelson skipper Phill Jones said his side faced a stiff assignment as they now needed to win twice away from home to deny Waikato another national crown.
"Nothing is impossible but after tonight's game it will be tough up there (Te Awamutu). It will be a tough ask."
Waikato 81 (Adam Ballinger 22, Michael Fitchett 21, Justin Bailey 16) Nelson 69 (Phill Jones 21, John Barber 18, Jarryd Lloyd 12). Halftime: 40-34.
- NZPA
