Dom Kelman-Poto does it all for Bulls as they make it five straight NBL wins

Dom Kelman-Poto had the kind of game every basketballer dreams of.

The Franklin Bulls’ forward did it all for his side, shooting a perfect 11 for 11 and netting the game-winner at the buzzer in overtime.

Kelman-Poto’s 24 point effort lifted the Bulls to a thrilling 100-99 road win over the Hawke’s Bay Hawks on Saturday – making it five wins on the trot.

Their latest victory lifts them to an 8-3 record, tied for first equal in the NBL with the Canterbury Rams and Auckland Tuatara.

The Bulls and Tuatara meet in a top of the table ‘Battle of the North’ blockbuster on Sunday at Eventfinda Stadium on the North Shore (6pm tip).

Kelman-Poto clinched victory with a lay-up after Rickey McGill drove to the basket, but had the ball battered away. It fell right into Kelman-Poto’s path, and he scored the game-winner, capping off a memorable individual outing.

It shouldn’t have got that close for the Bulls, who were cruising at the end of the third quarter, up by 15 points (77-62). Their lead blew out to 22 points late in the third quarter, but the plucky Hawks refused to go away.

Buoyed by their home fans, the Hawks fought back in the final quarter, outscoring the Bulls 26-11 to force overtime.

A triple from Derone Raukawa with 1.54 left in overtime put the Hawks up 97-95. They also led 99-98 with four seconds to go after a pair of Hyrum Harris free throws before Kelman-Poto had the final say.

The short-handed Otago Nuggets delivered a gutsy showing to snap a four-game losing run, bouncing back from a 99-94 loss to the Manawatū Jets on Thursday.

Otago responded with a 101-85 victory over the Wellington Saints, 24 hours later, in the capital, to get a much-needed win, improving to 8-4.

The Nuggets were again without standout American guard JaQuori McLaughlin, who is battling a knee injury.

Without McLaughlin, fellow imports, Australian guard Michael Harris and American forward Todd Withers, stepped up offensively.

Harris and Withers combined for 60 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Nuggets to a crucial away win over the inconsistent Saints.

It was another strong outing from the impressive Harris, who drained six threes in his game-high 33 points. Withers chipped in with 27 points, eight boards, and three steals.

A night earlier, the Jets gained just their fourth win over the season, overcoming the Nuggets.

American trio Danny Pippen, Javion Blake, and Mustapha Heron led the way for the Jets on their home court, teaming up for 72 of their 99 points.

Pippen was busy offensively with 31 points and nine rebounds, but did commit six turnovers. Blake continued his pleasing play, registering 22 points on 9-13 shooting, nine assists, six rebounds, and three steals.

The Taranaki Airs caused the upset of the round, knocking over the Southland Sharks 103-93 in Invercargill to nab their third win of the season.

American guard Kendrick Ray, who was let go by the Rams without playing a game, showed his class, pouring in 32 points to go with five assists in the Airs’ win.

Taranaki also received notable contributions from Carlin Davison, who had a stellar stat line of 20 points, seven rebounds, seven steals, and four assists. American veteran Anthony Hilliard chipped in with 15 points and 10 boards.

Jeremy Kendle carried the Sharks in the loss, dropping 45 points, but he lacked scoring support from his team-mates outside Josh Cunningham, who had 18.

Sunday’s other game sees the Nelson Giants host the Rams at 4pm at the Trafalgar Centre.

AT A GLANCE:

NBL round 10:

At Fly Palmy Arena, Palmerston North: Jets 99 (Danny Pippen 31, Javion Blake 22, Mustapha Heron 19, Marcel Jones 11) Nuggets 94 (Michael Harris 22, Todd Withers 20, Sam Timmins 15, Robbie Coman 14, Darcy Knox 11) 1Q: 30-26, HT: 50-52, 3Q: 75-74.

At TSB Arena, Wellington: Nuggets 101 (Harris 33, Withers 27, Timmins 15, Jack Andrew 13) Saints 85 (Taane Samuel 21, Tom Vodanovich 15, Kyle Adnam 12, Izayah Le’afa 11, Tohi Smith-Milner 10) 1Q: 30-29, HT: 48-44, 3Q: 75-60.

At Stadium Southland, Invercargill: Airs 103 (Kendrick Ray 32, Carlin Davison 20, Anthony Hilliard 15, Anzac Rissetto 13) Sharks 93 (Jeremy Kendle 45, Josh Cunningham 18) 1Q: 30-27, HT: 58-47, 3Q: 80-73.

At Pettigrew Green Arena, Napier: Bulls 100 (Dom Kelman-Poto 24, Isaac Davidson 16, Rickey McGill 14, Daniel Fotu 13, Jamaal Brantley 12, Matt Freeman 11) Hawks 99 (Ira Lee 32, Derone Raukawa 31, Ethan Rusbatch 14) 1Q: 26-16, HT: 54-38, 3Q: 77-62, 4Q: 88-88.

Standings: Tuatara 8-3, Rams 8-3, Bulls 8-3, Nuggets 8-4, Saints 6-6, Sharks 5-7, Hawks 5-8, Jets 4-8, Giants 3-8, Airs 3-8.