The Southland Sharks have romped home in the first meeting of the National Basketball League’s (NBL) ‘Deep South Derby’.
The Sharks’ three imports combined for 51 points in a runaway 98-70 Sal’s NBL victory over the Night ‘n’ Day Otago Nuggets at Dunedin’s Edgar Centre on Friday night.
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American forward Josiah Allick dominated down-low with a double-double, a game-high 26 points (11/15 FG), 11 rebounds and two steals.
Captain Alonzo Burton put up 19 points (7/11 FG, 5/9 3pt) and youngster Tukaha Cooper 19 points (7/12 FG, 4/6 3pt), seven assists and two blocks off the bench.
Fellow Sharks imports Keylan Boone and Caleb Asberry also finished in double-digits. Boone went for 14 points (6/14 FG), six boards and two steals, and Asberry 11 points, six assists and four steals.
For the Nuggets, American guard Jose Perez (16 points, nine rebounds, four assists) and Christian Martin (16 points, nine boards, two steals) led the way. Local products Darcy Knox and Patrick Freeman also had 11 points each for Otago.
The Sharks shot 55 percent from the floor, including 46 percent (13-of-28) on three-point attempts. The Nuggets shot at 37 and 31 percent.
Otago had their moments in the opening quarter but quickly fell behind by 14 in the second. They closer within seven late in the period but back-to-back Burton triples restored normalcy and the Nuggets never got closer than 12 in the second half.
The Sharks (1-0) are on the road again in Week 2, facing the defending champion Canterbury Rams (0-1) in Christchurch next Saturday (tip-off 7.30pm), while the Nuggets (0-1) head to Tauranga on Wednesday (tip-off 7pm) to face the Whai (1-0).
Meanwhile, in the opening Sky Rapid League contest, the Nuggets rolled to a 27-18 victory, with Martin almost going for a double-double, ending with nine points and nine boards.
Southland Sharks 98 (Josiah Allick 26, Alonzo Burton 19, Tukaha Cooper 19, Keylan Boone 14, Caleb Asberry 11) Otago Nuggets 70 (Jose Perez 16, Christian Martin 16, Darcy Knox 11, Patrick Freeman 11). 1Q: 28-21, HT: 49-37, 3Q: 70-49