By Huw Beynon
The Wellington Saints have kept their unbeaten start to the Sal’s NBL alive with a 95-69 win over the Mike Pero Nelson Giants.
Nelson arrived in the capital buoyed by an impressive weekend in Auckland yet wary of a “doomsday double” road-trip consisting of the Saints and Hawks on back-to-back nights.
The first half was part chess match part arm wrestle, as there was action on and off the ball.
Hunter Hale showed his speed and skill for the Giants while Tohi Smith-Milner was a jack of all trades for the Saints, finishing the half with five blocks.
Neither team gave an inch, and it was 39-39 at half time.
The Saints exploded out of the blocks in the third with Dion Prewster, who was kept scoreless through the first half, getting hot from inside and out.
Taane Samuel piled on the misery as the turnovers racked up for the Giants; the Saints taking the third term 34-18.
With the Hawks game less than 24 hours away, Mike Fitchett went to his bench halfway through the fourth as it was a procession for the Saints in front of a sold-out TSB Arena.
Scorers:
Saints 95 (Taane Samuel 24, Dion Prewster 14, Tohi Smith-Milner 10)
Giants 69 (Hunter Hale 26)
