MAtch report: Otago Nuggets v Southland Sharks
The Night ‘n Day Otago Nuggets have started their Sal’s NBL campaign in style, defeating rivals Southland Sharks 86-79 in an overtime thriller in front of 1500 fans at the Edgar Centre.
Several new faces impressed on debut with young Australian guard Ben Henshall scoring a game-high 21 points to go with three assists and American import Kimani Lawrence (18 points and 14 rebounds) posting a double-double.
Local big man Jack Andrew, who like Perth Wildcats teammate Henshall is coming fresh off season in Australia’s NBL, made the most of his starting opportunity, joining Lawrence in double-double territory with 18 points and a game-high 16 rebounds to go with three blocks in an imposing display.
Andrew provided one of the highlights of the Nuggets’ season opener with a buzzer-beater triple to cut the deficit back to two points at three-quarter time.
Matthew ‘The Slippery Eel’ Bardsley, who contributed 17 points and three steals off the bench, then tied the scores at 76-apiece early in the final term.
It was a see-sawing last quarter with Otago clawing their way back from five points down late to force an extra period after leading by as much as eight.
From there it was all the home side, outscoring the Sharks 10-3 with Andrew and Lawrence scoring four points apiece.
The win was even more impressive considering star New Zealander Tai Webster and fellow Wildcat Dontae Russo-Nance both didn’t play.
Webster is expected to be available for the Nuggets next game against Manawatu Jets at home on Friday night in a massive boost.
