Discipline issues costly for Saints

Saints coach Pero Cameron is ruing a lack of discipline as foul trouble led to Wellington's first loss of the NBL season in Nelson.

Nelson led after every quarter on Saturday night to win 92-86 at the Trafalgar Centre and received the lion's share of the refereeing calls, shooting 33 free throws to the Saints' 16.

Saints swingman Leon Henry got into early foul trouble and managed just three points and two rebounds in his 17 minutes on court.

And centre Nick Horvath also felt the wrath of the officials, restricted to nine points and seven rebounds in 20 minutes.

"It's tough when two of your starters end up in early foul trouble," Cameron said.

"It's a discipline issue for us as a team. There were some offensive fouls and it's an issue for every one of us. Most of us have come in late, including the coach, this is really my first full week here.

"I think we'll be right. We don't like to lose but when we do we've got to learn from it and move on."

Last year's league MVP, Phill Jones, was at his influential best for Nelson, the sweet-shooting southpaw hitting a game-high 29 points.

The Saints leading scorer was import Erron Maxey, who scored 25 points in his second game after a quiet debut.

Maxey connected with seven of 12 three-pointers and the American forward rounded out a busy night with eight rebounds.

Import guard Darryl Hudson had 18 points but shot a cool six from 17 from the field.

Life doesn't get any easier for the Saints (2-1), whose next game is away against a powerful Harbour Heat on Friday night.

Cameron hoped to have point guard Lindsay Tait back from a sprained ankle but was in no rush to return to the court himself.

"I need to get through a week's training with the team before I even look at playing any minutes.

"We've got some very capable big men and I don't want to come in and change it all. If the bigs are doing a good enough job then there's no issue."

- © Fairfax NZ News

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