KEY POINTS:
Wellington joined the lead group in the National Basketball league with a 90-67 rout of winless Otago in Wellington yesterday.
Wellington became the fifth side to post four wins and eight points in the standings, led by the undefeated Waikato Pistons.
The other teams on eight points are Nelson, Auckland and Taranaki.
Wellington improved to 4-3 with the win and were always in control against the 0-6 Nuggets.
The winners staked a double-digit lead on a Marquis Webb three in the closing seconds of the first quarter, and never allowing the lead to dip below nine.
Arthur Trousdell had his best offensive game of the season, 20 points to go with an NBL-best 18 rebounds, and his defence on Otago import Jay Anderson, was just as big, holding him to 10 points and seven rebounds.
American centre Kevin Owens had 10 points and 10 rebounds for Wellington despite being double-teamed whenever he touched the ball, and point guard Luke Martin dropped a franchise-record (since 2000) 14 assists.
Otago battled all game and shot 34 per cent from the floor and 21 per cent from three-point distance.
They managed to pull within 12 points early in the fourth period but back-to-back threes from McLean and Brendon Pongia ended any comeback hopes.
American Lemar Gayle led Otago with a game-high 26 points and 15 rebounds, while Brent Charleton had 12 points and six boards and Nat Connell 10 points.
Leaders Waikato passed their first major challenge away at North Harbour on Saturday, cruising out to a 20-point lead at three-quarter time before holding on to win by nine points, 89-82. Waikato remain the only undefeated side with four wins from as many games.
Nelson survived a fourth-quarter collapse at home to beat Auckland 93-91 in overtime.
- NZPA
