The Auckland Tuatara turned the Sal’s NBL finals on their heads after defeating the defending champion Wellington Saints 92-87 at Eventfinda Stadium on Wednesday night.
In a pulsating match, the Tuatara shot out of the blocks to open up a double digit lead by halftime before the Saints came rolling back in the final quarter.
The Saints actually managed to take the lead briefly and when Tuatara skipper Rob Loe fouled out midway through the final quarter there was a fear the red-hot Saints would pull away.
But big shots from Tall Blacks forward Taki Fahrensohn and American import Chris Johnson ensured the Tuatara would not let the game slip and they closed out a stunning victory in the club’s first ever playoff game.
Loe finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds while Fahrensohn had 24 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Johnson double doubled despite getting into first half foul trouble and was superb with the game on the line – finishing with 17 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and two blocks while fellow import Siler Schneider flirted with a triple double – providing 17 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
The Tuatara got a great game from veteran big man Nick Barrow, who played 19 minutes off the bench and kept the powerful Saints offense in check.
They now face another elimination game Thursday night against the number one seeded Taranaki Mountainairs for a place in the Sal’s NBL final.
Tip-off is at 7.30pm and tickets can be purchased here.