The Appliance Shed Harbour Heat suffered their first lost of the 2009 NBL season after going down 100-85 to the Century City Saints at the North Shore Events Centre tonight.

In a tight tussle that saw the Heat jump out to an early lead thanks to three big three’s from Daniel Munday in the first five minutes of the game, it looked like the Heat would carry their unbeaten record to 4-0.  However, the Saints clawed their way back into the first quarter thanks to live wire Mike Efevberha and went into the first quarter break three adrift of the Heat, 30-27.

A far stronger defensive effort in the second quarter from the saints restricted the Heat to only 15 points with Round Two POW Corey Webster restricted to three points for the first half.  The Century City Saints showed they have a major scoring weapon of themselves with Mike Efevberha recording 24 in the first half.  Damon “Wildchild” Thornton was also strong in the second quarter and nearly had a double double in the first half, going to the break with 10 point and nine boards.

The Saints took a 53 -45 lead into the third quarter and by the close of the third the 8 point halftime deficit had been reduced to six with Webster beginning to find his range.

With the saints in the lead 73-67 going into the start of the fourth it was still anyone’s game and the early part of the last quarter went to and fro as both teams traded points and the saints kept their noses in front.  With 5 minutes to play Troy McLean, who had been quiet to that point, drained a three from the corner to give the Saints their first 10 point lead of the game.  Two minutes later Troy drained another three from similar range that saw the saints lead extend to 12.  Those two three appeared to give the Saints the confidence that was missing in their loss to Nelson and as the Heat pressed the saints finished with a big bunk to Damon Thornton and an ally-op for Mike Efevberha to close the game out with a 15 point victory.

For the Century City saints there were a number of strong performances highlighted by Mike Efevberha’s game high 36.  Damon Thornton finished with a 22 point, 11 rebound double double and Arthur Trousdell ended with 19 and two big blocks at crucial moments.

For the Heat, Mychal Green top scored with 21 and completed a double double taking down 11 boards.  Corey Webster by his standards had a quiet night at the office with 18 and Darryl Cartwright finished with 15.

Appliance Shed Harbour Heat have the rest of the weekend off whilst the saints travel across the harbour Bridge to take on the Youthtown Auckland Stars tomorrow night at the ASB Stadium, tip off 7.30pm.

Thursday, March 26

At North Shore Events Centre, North Shore

Appliance Shed Harbour Heat 85 (Mychal Green 21, Corey Webster 18, Darryl Cartwright 15) v Century City Saints 100 (Mike Efevberha 34, Damon Thornton 24, Arthur Trousdell 19), Final

Referees - Tim Brown, Bo Wills-Choat, Kieran Udy
1Q: 30-27
HT: 45-53 (15-26)
3Q: 67-73 (22-20)
FT: 85-100 (22-27)