Basketball: Harbour blast aside Rams' challenge

By MURRAY McKINNON

North Harbour maintained their competition lead by beating the Canterbury Rams 95-80 in their National Basketball League match at the North Shore Events Centre yesterday.

Harbour have won nine from 11 games for 18 points, two ahead of the Nelson Giants, who have a game in hand.

Canterbury came within two points of Harbour towards the end of the first quarter after a period of solid defence. However, Harbour responded from the three-point line, with Purnell Perry and Ronnie Joyner both scoring four points after picking up the extra basket from the free throw.

In the third quarter, Kirk Penney and Brad Riley took control, guiding Harbour to a 26-point lead.

In desperation, Canterbury switched their entire five, and Myles Sutherland and Craig Farrant, formerly with Harbour, responded by scoring from the outside.

However, Riley and Dylan Chase kept Harbour in control. Riley top-scored for Harbour with 19, while Farrant was best for Canterbury on 21.

Harbour coach Tracy Carpenter is delighted with the team's performance, and their position in the league.

"We had good contributions from the likes of Ronnie Joyner, and when Robert Wilson ran into foul trouble we had people from the bench to replace him," he said.

Wellington Saints, with the benefit of a home crowd, upset the Waikato Warriors 112-102 in extra time, after being locked at 47-all at halftime and 95-all at fulltime. Wellington upped the tempo at the end to take them closer to playoff contention.

After starting the season so well, Auckland suffered their fourth loss, going down to Palmerston North 84-101 on Saturday.

Auckland led 54-51 at the break, but Willie Burton was superb for the Jets, taking 14 rebounds and five steals to put Auckland on the backfoot.

Although Auckland's five remaining games are at home, they face a challenge from Wellington and Palmerston North for a playoff spot.