Hot-shooting Rams too good for Southland
- NZ Sports Wire
- Mar 23
- 2 min read
The two-time defending National Basketball League (NBL) champion Canterbury Rams already seem to be in mid-season form.
The Rams shot the lights out at Christchurch’s Cowles on Saturday night on the way to a 120-84 Sal’s NBL win over the Southland Sharks.
LATEST HEADLINES:
Tall Blacks guard Taylor Britt led the way, with 27 points (11/19 FG, 4/4 FT), five rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block.
National teammate Kaia Isaac also put up 27 points (11/14 FG, 2/5 3pt) and two steals, while Tama Isaac added 21 points (8/13 FG, 2/6 3pt), six assists and four steals off the bench.
Max Darling hit four triples for his 13 points, while Tohi Smith-Milner did a little of everything, with 10 points (4/7 FG, 2/4 3pt), six boards, three assists, three steals and two blocks.
American forward Keylan Boone was the best of the Sharks, who committed 22 turnovers, with 26 points (10/13 FG, 5/6 3pt) and four rebounds.
Alonzo Burton had 11 points (4/9 FG, 2/7 3pt), four boards and three steals, while import guard Caleb Asberry had the Devil’s stat-line with six points, six assists and six steals.
With an all-New Zealand lineup - as they wait for their imports to arrive - the Rams shot 61 percent (44-of-71) from the field, including 50 percent (13-of-26) on three-point attempts.
Already up seven at the half, the Isaac brothers combined for 17 points and Britt added nine as Canterbury hit five triples in a 34-17 third period to stretch out by more than 20 points.
The Rams (2-1) remain at home to host the Wellington Saints (1-1) next Sunday (tip-off 3pm), while the Sharks also face the Saints next, on Wednesday (tip-off 7pm) in the Capital.
In the Sky Broadband Rapid League contest, Jake Holmes led the Rams to a 36-32 win with 13 points and five rebounds. Mana Martin also had 10 points for the Rams, and Dane Bertinshaw 10 points for the Sharks.
Canterbury Rams 120 (Taylor Britt 27, Kaia Isaac 27, Tama Isaac 21, Max Darling 13, Tohi Smith-Milner 10) Southland Sharks 84 (Keylan Boone 26, Alonzo Burton 11, Josiah Allick 10, Tukaha Cooper 10). 1Q: 27-19, HT: 53-46, 3Q: 87-63