The Auckland Tuatara grabbed bragging rights over the cross-town Franklin Bulls thanks to an 88-76 win in front of a sold out Eventfinda Stadium on Saturday night.
The two teams battled hard in the first half with neither side able to wrestle the initiative away – the scores were tied up at the end of the first quarter and again at halftime.
But a strong third quarter saw the home side begin to pull away slowly and they were able to hold on in the final stages of the game to record their fifth win in six matches and remain atop the Sal’s NBL standings.
Forward Taki Fahrensohn led the Tuatara with a team-high 20 points, eight rebounds and two steals and came up with some big baskets and key times.
Braydon Iuli was strong off the bench, particularly with starters Siler Schneider and Dontae Russo-Nance getting into early foul trouble.
Schneider still managed to bank 17 points while Rob Loe had 14 to go with nine boards, six assists, a steal and a block.
Dan Fotu, in his first game with the club, impressed off the bench and looks set to be a player that will really help the Auckland outfit.
The Tuatara are on the road in Napier next Saturday night before a home game on Queen’s Birthday Monday against the Manawatu Jets.
Tickets are on sale via www.tuatarabasketball.com.