The Canterbury Rams have gone back-to-back in the National Basketball League (NBL) with a 102-87 win over the Auckland Tuatara in Christchurch.
League MVP Lachlan Olbrich once again led the way, the Australian centre scoring a game-high 29 points, including three triples, to go with 18 rebounds.
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It was the sixth title overall for the Rams. Prior to last season it had been 31 years between trophies.
In 2024, they had a 17-3 record with a 16-game winning run included.
Rams coach Judd Flavell also had good scoring from American imports KJ Buffen, who put up 21 points, and James Walker, with 11 points, while Tall Blacks guard Taylor Britt had 13 points and eight assists and Walter Brown also made double-figures.
The home side took a 12-point lead into the first quarter break, but the Aucklanders fought back to lead 51-50 at halftime. However, the Rams went 17-2 run in the third quarter and never looked back.
For Flavell, it was his fourth NBL crown as a head coach, two with the Rams, one with the Southland Sharks and the other with the Auckland Pirates in 2012.
The Tuatara made the final on the back of no American imports, but an experienced core of Tall Blacks, however, they have now lost three finals in a row.
Tom Vodanovich led the way for Auckland with 20 points, Corey Webster had 19 points and eight assists, Cam Gliddon 13 points and Charlie Dalton 12 points.
Rob Loe scored 17 points to go with seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks but the former Tall Black fouled out early in the final quarter and the Tuatara’s chances took a hit.
Canterbury Rams 102 (Lachlan Olbrich 29, KJ Buffen 21, Taylor Britt 13, James Walker 11, Walter Brown 10) Auckland Tuatara 87 (Tom Vodanovich 20, Corey Webster 19, Rob Loe 17, Cam Gliddon 13, Charlie Dalton 12). 1Q: 27-18, HT: 50-51, 3Q: 75-69