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Nuggets dig in for first win

The Go Media Otago Nuggets have notched up win number one of the Sal’s NBL season, seeing off a disjointed Taranaki Steelformers Mountainairs team 93-66 in Dunedin.

The Airs, coming off a last second loss to the Sharks on Thursday night, started well, but soon looked to tire as Nuggets import Isaiah Moss and big man Sam Timmins delivered a long-awaited win for the Edgar Centre crowd.

Leading 42-31 at half time, the Nuggets pulled away in the 3^rd quarter, keeping the Airs to just 14 points while tacking on 28 of their own. Moss could do no wrong, finishing with 28 points, while Timmins had 22point to go with 12 rebounds and 5 assists.

Frustration kicked in down the stretch for the Airs with Francis Mulvihill picking up a tech foul, while the execution on both ends of the floor went missing. Conversely, the Nuggets moved the ball well and gave the Edgar Centre crowd plenty to get excited for going forward.

 

Otago Nuggets (93) defeated Taranaki Airs (66) - BOXSCORE

Nuggets: Isaiah Moss 28pts, Sam Timmins 22pts 18rbs 5ast

Airs: Marcel Jones 12pts & 10 rbs, Tai Wynyard 11pts & 10rbs

 

Game Highlights

1. Big Sam is back. It was a matchup to look-out for, and Timmins got the better of Tai Wynyard tonight. He was strong inside and passed nicely from the block. A much better showing.
2. The Southern Swing is going to test teams. The Airs were clearly fatigued after just a one day turnaround from the close loss to Southland. This fixture feature is going to be tough one for teams to manage.
3. Although Darcy Knox (7pts, 3ast) and Geremy McKay (6pts, 3rbs) didn’t light up the stat sheet, they were key performers for the Nuggets tonight. They were the composed heads for their team, and McKay was a pest whenever the Airs had the ball.

 

Stuff MVP Votes

Isaiah Moss - 10

Sam Timmins – 8

Richie Rodger – 3

Francis Mulvihill – 3

Marcel Jones – 2

Josh Aitcheson – 2

Baxter Fenwick – 1

Tai Wynyard – 1

 

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