The Manawatu Jets outlasted the Franklin Bulls in a high-scoring New Zealand National Basketball League clash on Wednesday afternoon at the Franklin Sports Centre, securing a 112–103 victory to continue their push up the standings. The contest, played in front of a lively home crowd, featured relentless offense from both sides, but it was the Jets who made the decisive runs in the fourth quarter to seal their fifth win of the season.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, neither team showed any signs of defensive hesitation. The Bulls, eager to protect home court, came out firing with crisp ball movement and inside dominance. The Jets responded with a barrage of three-pointers and transition baskets, setting the stage for a shootout. By halftime, the scoreboard read 56–55 in favour of the visitors, with both teams shooting above 50 percent from the field.

The third quarter saw the Bulls briefly seize control, using a 12–2 run to open a six-point lead. However, the Jets showcased their depth, tying the game at 85 apiece heading into the final frame. In the fourth quarter, Manawatu’s bench outscored Franklin’s reserves 18–8, and clutch perimeter shooting down the stretch proved too much for the hosts to overcome.

Key Performances

• Manawatu Jets: Guard play was the difference, with the team’s primary scorer knocking down 31 points on 11-of-18 shooting, including five three-pointers. A secondary playmaker added a double-double of 22 points and 10 assists, while the frontcourt contributed physical rebounding (14 offensive boards as a team).
• Franklin Bulls: The home side was led by a powerful inside presence who finished with 28 points and 13 rebounds. The Bulls backcourt trio accounted for 60 points combined but struggled with turnovers in key moments, giving the Jets 19 points off turnovers.

Tactical Story

The game ultimately hinged on the Bulls’ inability to contain Manawatu’s pick-and-roll attack in the final period. Franklin’s switching defence left mismatches that allowed Jets shooters to find open looks, converting 14 of 30 attempts from beyond the arc. Offensively, the Bulls were effective in the paint (52 points inside) but lacked consistency from three-point range, hitting only 8 of 24. The Jets also dominated fast-break points, 18–9, turning defensive rebounds into quick scores.

Season Impact

With this win, the Manawatu Jets improve to 5–3 on the season, moving into the top four of the NZNBL standings. The Franklin Bulls fall to 3–5, remaining in the middle of the pack. For the Bulls, the loss underscores a recurring issue: close-game execution. They have now dropped three of their last four decisions by single digits. The Jets, meanwhile, have won three in a row and appear to be rounding into form as the season approaches its midpoint.

Next Up

Both teams return to action in the coming week. The Franklin Bulls travel to face the Canterbury Rams, while the Manawatu Jets host the Taranaki Mountainairs in a matchup that will test their recently improved defensive metrics.