Taranaki has beaten the Nelson Giants 76-69 to get back to winning ways in the National Basketball League in New Plymouth.
The Mountain Airs raced out to a 13-point first quarter lead before a big second spell from the visitors saw the scores narrow to 39-35 at the major break at TSB Stadium.
The hosts won the third quarter by three points and that seven-point margin was how it stayed as the two sides squared the final quarter.
It's the Giants' third consecutive loss.
Taranaki will be back on the road tomorrow when they look to sweep the series with the Wellington Saints for the first time since 2005.
It will not be an easy task though as the Saints have started off well at home winning both of their games by an average margin of 26 points, while the Airs are yet to win on the road this season.
Giants meanwhile will be hoping they can have starters Josh Bloxham and Mika Vukona return as quickly as possible as they have lost three in a row by an average margin of five points.