Sharks up the tempo for win
The Southland Sharks continued their push towards the NBL playoffs with a come-from-behind 112-105 win over the Taranaki Mountain Airs in New Plymouth last night.
The Sharks found themselves trailing 56-50 at the main break but picked up the tempo to collect their 11th win in 14 outings in this campaign.
That leaves them with the same record as the Nelson Giants, behind only the defending champion Wellington Saints, who are 13-2.
Southland really put the hammer down in the last quarter when they outscored Taranaki 32-22.
Orlando Coleman was their main attacking threat, returning a game-high haul of 27 points to go alongside his 11 rebounds and five assists.
Reuben Te Rangi and Conor Morgan also chipped in with 17 points apiece for the Sharks, whose next outing is on Sunday against the Manawatu Jets in Palmerston North.
Taranaki’s best were Alonzo Burton with 26 points followed by Houston O’Riley (20) and Xavier Smith (20).
In last night’s other match, the Hawke’s Bay Hawks boosted their playoffs hopes by beating the Canterbury Rams 84-78 in Napier.
It was fourth against fifth – the winners would go a long way to booking their place in the competition’s top four for next month’s finals weekend – and the Hawks, who have played a game less than Canterbury, eventually won after crucially taking the lead in the final minutes.
Dion Prewster’s huge three-pointer with about 70 seconds was the clincher, moving the hosts four points clear, and the Rams fell to their fourth straight loss.