NZNBL 2024

BULLS DEFEaT NUGGETS IN SEASON CLOSING GAME

The Night ‘N Day Otago Nuggets’ 2024 New Zealand Basketball League campaign came to an end with a 99-83 loss to Franklin at Dunedin’s Edgar Centre on Saturday night.

The undermanned Nuggets, who were already out of the race for a Final 6 berth, conceded 31 first-quarter points and never quite recovered against a powerful Bulls outfit.

It means Otago finish the Sal’s NBL season in ninth spot with a 7-13 record.

Zaccheus Darko-Kelly top-scored for the Nuggets for the second game in a row, finishing with 20 to go with five rebounds and four assists, shouldering the load in a line-up missing Ben Henshall, Tai Webster and Dontae Russo-Nance.

Fellow American import Kimani Lawrence was also strong, amassing 18 points, three rebounds and three assists.

Darcy Knox’s (15 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals) outside shooting was impressive, hitting four triples, while his defensive efforts were also outstanding.

Robbie Coman was another positive, scoring a season-high 13 points coming off the bench.

Former Nuggets big man Sam Timmins returned to Dunedin to haunt his old teammates, putting up a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

With the result beyond doubt in the final quarter, head coach Brent Matehaere gave some of his younger players an opportunity to shine.

Michael Ruske scored his first points in the Sal’s NBL, while fellow bench players Joseph Ahie, Matthew Pyper, Benji Freeman and Caleb Smiler also finished the game on court.