Wellington, March 19 NZPA - Tony Ronaldson scored 28 points as his Waikato Pistons convincingly beat the Christchurch Cougars 104-74 in a National Basketball League match in Te Awamutu last night.

The Australian veteran came to life after previously only scoring a combined 13 points in his first two games for the Pistons. He also pulled down eight rebounds, helping his team win all four quarters.

In the second quarter the Pistons lead by as many as 24 thanks to Eric Devendorf, who scored 21 points and nailed nine assists. Thomas Abercrombie contributed 19 points and seven rebounds.

The Cougars had five players score in the double figures, but as a team they only shot 36 percent from the field. Paora Winitana and Lionel Hopgood top scored with 15 points each.

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