NEWI Nets produced a second-half super show to win 88-79 at home to Plymouth Marjon Cannons on Saturday and maintain pole position in EBL Division Two.
Matt Weedall’s men looked set for their first defeat of the season when they trailed 40-31 to the struggling visitors at the break.
But a superb display of team basketball after the restart ensured they made it four triumphs on the trot.
Player-coach Weedall said: “I was pleased with the second-half comeback as again we showed determination and resolve, which meant we were able to up our performance at critical times.”
Weedall was not as complimentary to his players at half-time after watching them lose the first two quarters.
American DaWaun Wells had fired them into an early lead but Nets went off the ball after that and, had it not been for good points contributions from the industrious Pete Arden and Steve Flanagan, they would have been in serious trouble.
But Weedall’s harsh words did the trick as, from the third quarter on, the hosts were transformed.
With Spaniard Pau Orive pulling the strings, well supported by Wells, Weedall and Maarten Wijdekop, a 12-point scoring surge wiped out Plymouth’s advantage.
Nets were not home and dry yet, though, and they needed perfect free-throw shooting from Wijdekop, Arden and Orive to see them safe.
Arden (24) led the scoring, followed by Wells (23) and Orive (19).
Nets head to second-from-bottom Northampton Neptunes on Saturday (6.30pm).
