In a 107-84 win, the Nuggets suffered their third consecutive loss at home, highlighting their struggle to keep up with the competition. Ethan Rusbatch led the charge with 27 points, including eight three-pointers.
Tae Hardy contributed 24 points and 10 assists, while Till Gloger added 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Jose Perez stood out for the Nuggets with 24 points, and Mac Stodart had a strong performance with 12 points.
Despite some individual efforts, the Nuggets were unable to match the Bulls’ intensity, especially missing Todd Withers’ defensive presence. The Bulls quickly built a lead in the opening minutes, forcing the Nuggets to call an early timeout.
Rusbatch and Tobias Cameron showcased their shooting skills, extending the Bulls’ lead. The Nuggets struggled to contain the Bulls’ offense, trailing by 15 points at the end of the first quarter.
As the game progressed, the Bulls continued to dominate, with Gloger taking advantage of mismatches inside and Rusbatch knocking down more three-pointers. The Nuggets tried to make a comeback in the third quarter but fell short against the Bulls’ solid performance.
With a 13-point lead heading into the final minutes, the Bulls sealed the victory from the free-throw line. In another game, the Hawke’s Bay Hawks defeated the Indian Panthers, while the Nuggets suffered only their second loss in the Rapid League.
NBL
Final Scores
Franklin Bulls 107
(Ethan Rusbatch 27, Tae Hardy 24)
Otago Nuggets 84
(Jose Perez 24, Mac Stodart 12)
Quarter Scores: 38-23, 63-47, 82-69, 107-84.
Contact adrian.seconi@odt.co.nz for more information.
