On the back of a consistent team effort on offence, the Heat backed up after Friday nights thrashing of the Jets with a closer and yet still controlled win over the luckless Taranaki side who made a late run at the Heat on the back of Corey Webster and BJ Anthony fouling out in the final quarter.

With a Mike Bell three-pointer from just past the halfway line at the half-time buzzer, the Heat went into the locker-room with a 46-38 lead. Bell had an impressive first half compiling 16 points and 10 rebounds.

In a low scoring third quarter, the home team won the quarter 16-15, and had cut the deficit to seven at 61-54.

The Heat zone defence caused Taranaki problems early in the fourth quarter, and the visitors built an 11 point lead with 6 minutes to play. With Webster and Anthony both fouling out, and through pressure defence, Taranaki cut the deficit to 78-76 with under two minutes to play in the game. The biggest shot of the game then came with Daniel Munday burying a three-pointer to extend the Heat lead to 81-76, and they were never threatened again, as Taranaki failed to get off a good shot for the remainder of the game.  

Bell led the Heat with a double double of 22 points and 15 rebounds, his second in three days, while Corey Webster had 20 points, Daniel Munday 12 (4/8 threes), BJ Anthony 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Mychal Green 9 points and 11 rebounds.

Phillip Gilbert led the home team with 26 points (including 7/17 from long-range), while Aaron Bailey-Nowell (19 and 12) and James Paringatai (14 and 13) contributed point-rebound double-doubles.

The home team was hurt by hitting only 19 of 32 free-throw attempts.

The ecogise Nelson Giants lead the pack after Round 10 on 20 points, with the Saints and Pistons in close pursuit on 18 a piece.  The Cougars hold fourth spot on 16 points, whilst the Heat (12) and Hawks (8) round out the top six.  The Jets now sit just in behind the Hawks on 6, though they have played three games more than the team from Napier.

Sunday, May 17

At TSB Stadium, New Plymouth

Devon Dynamos Taranaki 76 (12Phillip Gilbert 26, Aaron Bailey-Nowell 19, Eric Vierneisel 15) v Appliance Shed Harbour Heat 84 (Mike Bell 22, Corey Webster 20, Daniel Munday 12), Final

Referees - Melony Wealleans, Colin Dowling, Tony Eldershaw
1Q: 13-19
HT: 38-46 (25-27)
3Q: 54-61 (16-15)
FT: 76-84 (22-23)

Dynamos v Heat Boxscore (html 21KB)