Despite firing on all cylinders, Ken Tuffin could not lift Taranaki past Auckland, bowing 93-109 in the 2020 Sal’s NBL Showdown at The Trust Arena, Tuesday.
Tuffin, Far Eastern University’s incoming super senior, knocked down five triples to finish with a team-high 19 points.
Again a starter, the 23-year-old Fil-Kiwi scored 10 points, including a couple of treys in the opening period.
But Auckland then blasted a 34-point second quarter, while Taranaki could not recover. The Huskies would lead by as much as 25 points, 89-64, early in the final frame.
Enderun’s Francis Mulvihill added 11 markers.
The loss dropped the Mountainairs to an even 2-2 slate.
Izayah Mauriohooho Le Afa led Auckland with 20 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals. Leon Henry was the man in the middle, tallying 18 points and 14 boards.
Tuffin, Mulvihill, and Taranaki look to bounce back when they face UE’s Richie Rodgers and Otago on Wednesday.
