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Pero Cameron - Source: Photosport -
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Pero Cameron has secured his first win as a head coach with the Wellington Saints winning 85-72 over the Christchurch Cougars, thanks to 33 points from Darryl Hudson.
Hudson proved tough scoring his points in a variety of ways (10/17 FG, 3/3 3pt, 10/17 FT), also grabbing four steals and dishing four assists.
Cougars got to within 2 with 4.56 left after a Paora Winitana three, but Saints countered with threes from Hudson and Troy McLean (13 pts). After a Winitana three Saints went on a 9-0 run, finishing the with game 15-4 run.
The first quarter was scrappy Cougars taking first advantage leading by six from a three point play by Jeremy Kench (12 pts) and a three by Winitana (20 pts).
Saints meanwhile were struggling missing easy shots in the paint, missing free throws and committing seven turnovers. First quarter Cougars up 19-18.
The second quarter was also scrap with both teams exchanging baskets, But Winitana and Trent Wurtz (15 pts 5 steals) got into foul trouble each with three fouls.
The Saints started to gain momentum leading by as many as 11. A Kench layup cut the lead the lead to nine, 44-35 score at halftime. Saints shot the ball at 72.7% from the field in the second quarter.
In the third quarter Saints extended their lead to 12, but the Cougars came roaring back with a 14-4 run cutting the lead to two.
After a battle for the boards Nick Horvarth (14 pts and 16 reb) tipped in a basket at the buzzer giving the Saints a slim five point lead to end the quarter.
The final quarter started off tight, Mark Morrison (12 pts) scoring the first basket. But Saints closed out the game with defence holding Cougars to 33% from the field in the quarter and scoring from Hudson who scored 15 of the Saints 23 points.
Saints now go 2-0 but will face their toughest game yet when they play Nelson Giants at the Trafalgar Centre on Saturday.
The Giants clean sweep of the Saints last year, also knocked them out in the semi-final.
