Rob Loe leads Auckland Tuatara to miraculous NBL semifinal win over Taranaki
Rob Loe 29, Taki Fahrensohn 22, Chris Johnson 21, Dontae Russo-Nance 16, Siler Schneider 11) Taranaki Airs 104 (Javonte Douglas 24, Anthony Hilliard 21, Tai Wynyard 15, Shaun Willett 15, Marcel Jones 13, Richie Rodger 12
The Auckland Tuatara are into the National Basketball League grand final after a wild come from behind overtime win.
Auckland produced a stunning finish to the fourth quarter and then prevailed in overtime to beat the Taranaki Airs 107-104 in the first semifinal on Thursday night.
Top seeds Taranaki looked headed for their first NBL grand final in team history, leading 91-86 with nine seconds left.
American swingman Anthony Hilliard, who has been so outstanding for the Airs this season, missed both free throws though.
The Tuatara, in their first season of existence, made the Airs pay with Rob Loe delivering an incredible sequence of plays.
Leading Tall Black Loe made a layup, then snaffled a steal off Richie Rodger and made a pressure three with three seconds left to lock it at 91-91.
Taranaki who have been the fairytale story of the NBL this season, rising from rock bottom in 2021 to first, will be kicking themselves all off-season after butchering this one.
The Tuatara appeared dead and buried, but no-one told Loe, who miraculously sent the game to overtime.
Anne Heche Reportedly Severely Injured After Car Crash