Forward Denhym Brooke's basket in the dying seconds has helped Taranaki Mountain Airs consolidate their position atop the NBL Showdown table with a 106-105 win over Otago Nuggets.
After leading by as many as 14 points during the second quarter, the Airs fell behind for the first time with less than two minutes remaining and trailed by one point, when Otago forward Matt Bardsley scored with 27 seconds on the clock.
From the ensuing possession, Brooke converted a right-handed hook shot from the low post to regain the lead and Nuggets star Jordan Ngatai was unable to respond at the other end of the court.
The result gives Taranaki a four-point lead on the ladder, although they have played one more game than their nearest pursuers - the Nuggets, Franklin Bulls and Manawatu Jets.
American-born Marcel Jones led the Mountain Airs with 26 points/12 rebounds, while guard Derone Raukawa had 22 points and Shane Temara 14 points/12 rebounds.
But Brooke was the difference, emerging from the bench for 17 points, including the gamewinner.
Forward Jordan Hunt scored 24 points for Otago, while Jarrod Kenny's match-up with Raukawa provided an intriguing battle within the contest. Kenny finished with 20 points and eight assists.
Like Brooke, Bardsley - the 84th and last player selected in the NRL draft - provided energy off the bench with 18 points and eight rebounds.
Otago executed at a high level, dishing 26 assists and shooting 13/34 three-pointers, but will rue a 12/21 (57 percent) return from the free-throw line, where Taranaki went 18/21 (85 percent).
Meanwhile, Auckland Huskies continued their improved form, rallying to an 86-82 win over crosstown rivals Franklin Bulls.
The Huskies trailed by 14 points rarely in the second quarter, but scored 12 unanswered points to stay in the hunt
Three points ahead entering the final period, they fell behind, when Bulls guard Jackson Stubbins hit a three-pointer with one minute remaining, but Taine Murray responded in kind for the game-winning basket.
Point guard Izayah Mauriohooho Leafa scored 25 points for the Huskies, while Tohi Smith-Milner's 22 points/13 rebounds included five three-pointers.
Centre Sam Timmins compiled 21 points/15 rebounds for the Bulls.
With Leafa a late arrival, Auckland lost their first three outings to trail the league early, but have now won three of their last four to move up the seven-team field.
