Basketball: Rams back to winning ways in NZ NBL

Shou Nisbet of the Canterbury Rams. Photo / Photosport

The Canterbury Rams have come from behind to edge out the Bay Hawks 99-96 in overtime.

The Rams were led by captain, Ethan Rusbatch, who had a game high 30 points. Marcel Jones came off the bench to tally 29 points and 12 rebounds for the visitors who fought their way back in the contest after trailing 30-12 at the end of the first quarter.

American, Chris Porter, had his best game in a Hawks uniform grabbing a double-double of 23 points (10-16 FG) and 10 rebounds. Alonzo Burton had 16 points and nine rebounds, and captain Aidan Daly added 14 for the Hawks who now drop to 0-4.

The Hawks will be gutted they could not pull off the win after they led by as many as 20 and held and 11-point advantage with five minutes to go in regulation. Canterbury made their run which take a three-point lead from a Gareth Dawson tip in.

Daly replied with a three to send the game to an extra period. Both teams had the lead in overtime, and it looked like the game might progress to another extra period. But the Rams were able to close out the game to put their record to 2-2.

In Wellington, the Nelson Giants have rebounded from their loss the night before to defeat the Wellington Saints 98-89. Raymond Cowells led the way with 30 points, Finn Delany had 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Ben Strong also notched a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.

After trailing 4-2 to start the game, the Giants would not let the Saint re-gain the lead, at one stage holding a 10-point advantage in the fourth quarter.

Head coach inserted point guard Jarrod Kenny into the starting the line-up, Kenny controlling the Giants offense with 13 points, four assists and zero turnovers. Nelson bench was also productive, outscoring the Saints 18-7.

Wellington were coming into the game without key members Shea Ili and Tai Wesley, but did add veteran forward Casey Frank and new import Jameel Watkins. Torrey Craig led all scorers with 36, Dion Prewster had 18 and BJ Anthony was the next best with 16.