In Hamilton the Waikato Pistons have given the Harbour Heat their first loss in 2010 and it was a big one winning 95-67

The 28 point win puts the Pistons to the top of the table with the same record as the Heat, but winning the head to head which could be the deciding factor on who finishes where on the ladder.

Pistons had three players reach the twenty point mark or over, Thomas Abercrombie (23), Tony Ronaldson (22) and Hayden Allen (20).

The Heat meanwhile only had one player reach that mark, Corey Webster who had 25, but scored 21 of them in the first half.

Abercrombie had an all round performance with 11 rebounds and 7 assists to go with his 23 points. Pistons big man Alex Pledger won the battle of the bigs with another huge double double of 11 points and 17 rebounds, also swatting five shots. His counterpart Rick Rickert was held to ten points shooting 3/11 from the field.

As a team the Pistons shot nearly 50% from the field and 57% in the first half compared to the Heat who shot a measly 31% .

Pistons dominated the board outrebounding the visitors 57-36, which was helped by the absence of Dillon Boucher who is nursing an ankle injury.

New import Carl Krauser only scored three points on debut, but he was brought into the team to run the offense which was clearly shown by the scoreline tonight.

The Pistons will be pleased that they put together four good quarters winning every one.

Meanwhile the Heat can redeem themselves on Saturday and go back to the top if they can beat the Taranaki Mountain Airs in New Plymouth. But they will have to perform against a Airs side that have proven difficult at home this year.

Thursday, April 22

At Hamilton Boys High School, Hamilton

Waikato Pistons 95 (Thomas Abercrombie 23, Tony Ronaldson 22, Hayden Allen 20) Harbour Heat 67 (Corey Webster 25, Kavossy Franklin 14, Beny Anthony 12), Final

Referees - Gavin Whiu, Jamie Hickey, Kelly McLeod
1Q: 25-14
HT: 48-35 (23-21)
3Q: 70-53 (22-18)
FT: 95-67 (25-14)
Pistons v Heat Boxscore (24 KB html)