NZNBL 2024

NUGGETS DEFEatED ON THE ROAD

An impressive individual effort from Tai Webster wasn’t enough for the Night ’n Day Otago Nuggets to get over the line against Canterbury on the road on Thursday night.

Webster kept the Nuggets in the rollercoaster contest, scoring a game-high 40 points in the 96-85 loss to the Rams.

Webster, who shot at a 72 per cent from the field to put the team on his back, was just the second player to hit 40-plus points this Sal’s NBL season.

American Import Kimani Lawrence was the only other Nuggets player to reach double-digit points, finishing with 18 and four rebounds before getting fouled out in the final term, while the Rams had five in double-figures.

Lawrence lit it up in the third quarter but was in foul trouble from early in the match which limited him to just 23 minutes.

Guard Zaccheus Darko-Kelly made his return from illness, after missing the Anzac Day loss to the Rams, and big man Jack Andrew was also cleared, but neither were at their brilliant best, while the bench contributed just eight points.

Scores were tied at seven-apiece early on after Webster knocked back a difficult mid-range and-one.

But the home side then went on a remarkable 26-3 run on the way to a 33-10 quarter-time lead.

In another twist to the see-sawing affair, Webster caught fire to start to the second as the Nuggets dropped 15 unanswered points.

Webster was up to 15 points by midway through the second when he got a well-earned rest - and 20 by half-time.

The deficit shrunk to just six before the Rams steadied before half-time to make it 50-41 at the break.

From there, the reigning champs were relatively untroubled, leading by double digits for the majority of the second half.
The Nuggets recovered from a two-point opening term in the Rapid League to prevail 34-26.

Josh Aitcheson dominated with game-high numbers in points (14), rebounds (seven), assists (three) and steals (three), while hitting all four of his three-point attempts.

The Nuggets are back on home soil on Sunday against Nelson, hoping to snap a three-game losing run.