Giants top NBL beanstalk

The Jets could do no better on Saturday night, thumped 118-88 by the Canterbury Rams in Christchurch.

Tony Tolovae scored 26 points on 10-17 shooting, while Julian Williams-washburn added 21 points and eight rebounds as the Rams well and truly dealt to the Jets.

Again, it was Knight and Iverson offering resistance, scoring 31 and 24 respectively. Both players had doubledoubles.

Southland handed the twotime defending National Basketball League champion Saints just their second loss in the last two years on Friday night in Invercargill, winning 98-86.

The Sharks overcame a strong third quarter fight back from the Saints to end their 10-game winning run, having last lost to Southland in the opening round of the season on April 27.

Southland received a balanced scoring attack with Australian point guard Jarrad Weeks (22 points) and Reuben Te Rangi (19 points) both leading the way on attack. Centre Alex Pledger, returning from an ankle injury, was a force in the paint with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Ili fought valiantly for the Saints with 26 points and seven assists after his hectic week, while big man Majok Majok poured in 17 points, to go along with 16 boards.

The Hawke’s Bay Hawks suffered a home loss to the Taranaki Mountainairs, which was something of a form reversal, although it took overtime for them to get home.

The teams were locked at 73 at the conclusion of four quarters, but the Airs pulled away in the first period of overtime to secure their third win of the season. Alonzo Burton scored 26 points and Javonte Douglas 25.