In New Plymouth the TARANAKI MOUNTAIN AIRS have overcome an eighteen point deficit to win 101-99 against the AUCKLAND PIRATES.

With the scores 99 apiece, ZANE MEEHL stole the ball off LUKE MARTIN to hit the game winning field goal on the buzzer.

Meehl had fourteen points, six rebounds and seven assists, while his back court partner JACK LEASURE had a game high twenty seven points also grabbing ten rebounds.

After managing only 38 points in the first half, the Airs put on thirty six in the third period alone, cutting the Pirates lead from sixteen to four at the end of the period.

In the fourth the Airs would begin the period with a 5-0 run to get their first lead since the 5:15 mark in the opening quarter.

Building a six point lead, the Airs looked to have finished a broken Pirates team, but they managed to regroup and take a two point lead with a minute and a half left.

Auckland led by two with twenty two seconds left, but AARON BAILEY-NOWELL (16 points) scored and was fouled with an opportunity to take the lead.

Nowell missed the three throw, but a Meehl steal and score gave the home side their second win of the season.

Pirates will be disappointed after putting up fifty four points in the first half. BRAD ANDERSONagain providing a spark off the bench scoring thirteen in the first half, not missing a field goal.

Anderson was joint top scorer with KEVIN SMITH with twenty, LUKE MARTIN nearly getting a double double of fourteen points and nine assists.

Again size was a difficulty for the Pirates, MARCUS CAMPBELL amassing twenty five points and ten rebounds. The loss puts Auckland to eighth place with two wins and six losses.

Friday, May 27

At TSB Stadium, New Plymouth

TARANAKI MOUNTAIN AIRS 101 (Jack Leasure 27, Marcus Campbell 21, Aaron Bailey-Nowell 16) AUCKLAND PIRATES 99 (Brad Anderson 20, Kevin Smith 20, Kevin Mickens 16), Final

Referees – Dallas Pickering, Kieran Udy, Gareth Tehan