It was a game of epic proportions, as the Taranaki Mountain Airs battled the playoff bound Otago Nuggets to 4 overtime periods.
The Airs had only pride to play for while the front running Nuggets we trying to turn around a late season slide.
This became a historic event as there’s has never been a National League game to go four extra periods.
Checkers player Ethan Rusbatch was heavily involved for the Taranki Mountain Airs registering 24pts in the game.

 

After nearly three hours with both teams neck and neck, the Nuggets finally wore down the home side thanks to point guard Mark Dickel who made six straight free throws in the final minute of period eight. Dickel carried the Nuggets with 27 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds in 58 minutes while Rusbatch contributed  a very handy 24 pts in his sides losing effort.

 

For the record there were 39 lead changes and 26 ties before the Nuggets finally came out victors. This is a historic season in itself for the, normally, cellar dweller Nuggets and they finish their regular season second with 12 wins and four losses, a franchise best since their introduction to the league in 1990.

 

Overall the game will go down as one of the greatest games in National Basketball League history, as neither team had a double digit lead for the entire 60 minutes.

Oceana Gold Nuggets 144 (Hayden Allen 29, Mark Dickel 27, Antoine Tisby 26) The Good Home Taranaki Mountain Airs 137 (Jack Leasure 41, Link Abrams 27, Ethan Rusbatch 24). 1Q: 27-23 HT: 51-51 (24-28) 3Q: 75-77 (24-26) 4Q: 93-93 (18-16). 1stOT: 98-98 (5-5), 2OT: 112-112 (14-14), 3OT: 128-128 (16-16), 4OT: 137-144 (9-16).

NBL Semi Finals Saturday, July 13th at Pettigrew Green Arena, Napier

Wellington Saints v Zerofees Southland Sharks, 5.30pm (Game One)
OceanaGold Nuggets v Fico Finance Nelson Giants, 8pm (Game Two)

Grand Final: Sunday, July 14 at Pettigrew Green Arena, Napier

Winner of Game One v Winner of Game Two, 7.30pm