Long losing streak broken

The Christchurch Cougars crashed to an 84-62 away national basketball league loss to Taranaki, the home side snapping an 18-match losing streak in New Plymouth last night.

After being beaten by 30 points, 104-74 against Waikato the previous night in Te Awamutu, the Cougars were unable to lift their game when required.

Another poor first quarter cost the Cougars dearly when they trailed 23-9. The margin was clawed back to nine 62-51 by the end of the third quarter but Taranaki outscored the visitors 22-11 in the final quarter to break their drought.

The victory was a boost for the struggling side who had begun the season with two losses, although their first one was only narrowly to Nelson.

The defeat leaves the Cougars on two wins and three losses and desperately needing the presence of 2.13m centre Tim Behrendorff for the remainder of the season after he has been involved in the Australian league.

In other matches North Harbour scored a significant 115-95 win against Saints at North Shore, the Southland Sharks upset the Bay Hawks in Napier 85-79 while Nelson dispatched Otago 92-60 in Nelson.

Meanwhile New Zealand Breakers guard Kirk Penney has been named in the Australian National Basketball League's All-NBL first team for a third time.

Penney, last season's MVP, shares top billing in the five-man team with Townsville Crocodiles' point guard Corey Williams who was selected as 2009-10's most valuable player at the NBL awards function in Melbourne last night. Penney and Williams were joined by Wollongong Hawks point guard Tywain McKee plus forwards Mark Worthington (Melbourne Tigers) and Shawn Redhage (Perth).

Penney's New Zealand Breakers team-mate, Dillon Boucher, was voted the league's best defensive player.

- © Fairfax NZ News