Saints Head Into International Break With A Road Win

The Mills Albert Wellington Saints claimed a hard-fought 84–72 victory on the road over the SteelFormers Taranaki Airs last night, grinding out a statement win in a game that was neck-and-neck through three quarters.

Taranaki big man Jack Andrew was a force inside, finishing with a dominant 23 points and 13 rebounds, while Owen Foxwell added 16 points, keeping the home side within striking distance for much of the game. But in true Saints fashion, it was resilience, composure, and star power that turned the tide.

With the score locked heading into the final quarter, Wellington found another gear. Shea Ili and Izayah Mauriohooho Le’Afa led the charge—both steady and explosive when it mattered most. Ili, ever the floor general, finished with 20 points, while Le’Afa poured in a team-high 22 points, delivering clutch baskets to help the Saints pull away in the closing minutes.

This win moves the Saints to a stronger position on the ladder and adds another layer of confidence heading into a 13-day break before returning home to face the Jets on May 17th at TSB Arena.

During the break, all eyes will be on international duties: Shea Ili will suit up for the Tall Blacks as they take on the Australian Boomers, while head coach Aaron Young will join the national side’s coaching staff as an assistant. We’re proud to see two of our own representing New Zealand at the highest level.

The road win over the Airs was a gritty one—a reminder of what this Saints team is made of when challenged. We’ll see you back home soon, Saints fans.

Ready to pack TSB on the 17th as we take on the Manawatu Jets.