Basketball: Rangers get first win of NZ NBL season

Guard Lindsay Tait playing for the Super City Rangers. Photo / Photosport

The Supercity Rangers have got their first win of the season, defeating the Canterbury Rams 103-87.

Tall Black, Lindsay Tait, put together a stunning performance, scoring 19 points (7-12 FG) and dishing 15 assists for the Rangers who move to 1-3.

Rangers head coach, Jeff Green, moved American Terrence Roberts to the bench and he responded well with 17 points and six rebounds. Reuben Te Rangi scored 15 and league leading scorer, Eric Devendorf, scored 21, but shot 9-22.

It was always going to be a struggle for the Rams, who survived a tough win over the Sharks the night before, and it was telling in the fourth quarter, the Rangers winning it 29-19.

Canterbury had to combat foul issues, four of the starters ending the game on four fouls, and off the bench, American DeSharick Guidry struggled with four fouls in 12 minutes.

Ethan Rusbatch was the Rams top scorer for the second straight night with 22 points, but shot 6-17. Marcel Jones grabbed a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds.

The Rams will have a day off before they travel to Napier and play the Indigo Hawks who are the only team without a win in 2016.

The Rangers will play at home to the Sharks (2-2) next Saturday.