North-West Tasmania out of the hunt, but remained a dangerous opponent

Recap NBL1 South | Round 14 Saturday

Nunawading Spectres (75) defeated North West Tasmania Thunder (71)

The Nunawading Spectres still need plenty to fall their way but the only hope they had of still playing finals was to beat the North West Tasmania Thunder and they did so 75-71.
The Spectres were back home at Nunawading Basketball Centre having won their past two matches to stay alive in the finals race as they took on a North West Tasmania team who might have been out of the hunt, but remained a dangerous opponent.
Even though the Spectres opened up a seven-point lead in the first quarter, by quarter-time that was back to just three and then the Thunder even grabbed the lead themselves in the second period.
By half-time the scores were level at 40-40 before Nunawading had 15 points to seven in the third quarter which set them up for the eventual four-point victory.
The win improves the Spectres to a 12-10 record as they wait to find out their finals fate after Christian D'Angelo top-scored with 17 points, two rebounds and two steals.
Trendon Hankerson added 15 points, six rebounds and two assists with Jack Gandolfo contributing 14 points, three assists and two boards, Jalen Johnson 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Nicolas Tata 10 points, six boards, two assists and two blocked shots.
The Thunder are now 9-12 on the season with a game to play on Sunday with Seth Swalve putting up 18 points, four rebounds and three assists with Archer Woodhill adding 18 points, nine boards, five assists, four blocks and two steals.
Jake Afoa also had 15 points, four rebounds and two steals with Isaac Atuer adding 10 points.

NUNAWADING SPECTRES 75 (D'Angelo 17, Hankerson 15, Gandolfo 14)
NORTH WEST TASMANIA THUNDER 71 (Swalve 18, Woodhill 18, Afoa 15)