DENHYM Brooke scored the go-ahead layup with 16 seconds left to lift Taranaki to a 106-105 win in a thriller over Otago and stay at the top of the 2020 Sal's NBL Showdown Tuesday at The Trusts Arena in Auckland.
Brooke stepped up big with his 17 points and seven rebounds off the bench for the Mountainairs, who now lead the standings with a 7-3 card.
Ken Tuffin also played big for Taranaki with his eight points and four boards as the Far Eastern University gunner drained a pair of pressure-packed free throws in the final 35 seconds to push his side up, 104-103.
Matthew Bardsley responded for the Nuggets with a lay-up with 27 ticks left, before Brooke gave the lead back to the Mountainairs.
Otago had one last crack, but Jordan Ngatai missed his potential game-winning lay-up in the final six seconds as Derone Raukawa secured the leather.
Raukawa once again led Taranaki with 22 points, seven assists, three rebounds and two steals, while Marcel Jones notched a near-triple-double of 26 points, 12 boards, and seven assists.
Shane Temara added 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Mountainairs as they repeated over the Nuggets.
Taranaki blew out Otago, 107-81, in their first meeting last July 1 during Filipino Heritage Night.
The Mountainairs return to action on Thursday against the Auckland Huskies.
Jordan Hunt paced the Nuggets with 24 points and eight rebounds, as Jarrod Kenny and Kane Keil both scored 20 points apiece.
University of the East guard Richie Rodger missed the game for Otago due to a back injury.
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