Jets inflict big blow on Rams’ playoff hopes

The Property Brokers Manawatu Jets may or may not have set out to ruin the Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams end of your plans, but they did tonight’s visitors no favours after taking the victory 92-85.

The game was headlined by a triple-double from Jet’s captain, Daishon Knight, who was a catalyst in pulling momentum back in the host’s direction and holding it until the final buzzer.

His efforts along with the injection of the points-happy Nikau McCullough were enough fire power to see the Jets add another strike to their win column.

It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows in the first half though, with the Rams holding a six-point advantage after the opening spell and seven-point buffer rolling into the big break.

As you might’ve guessed, EJ Singler and Deshon Taylor provided the baskets for the away side and were equally as effective on the other side of the ball. Max Darling also showed his strength with a few physical plays.

The turning point in the ball game came midway through the third when the Jets rattled off triples on four consecutive possessions after closing to within one.

That left them with the seven-point buffer and from there they failed to surrender the lead. The Rams made it a one-possession contest with a dozen minutes to play, but that’s as close as they got.

Manawatu Jets 92 defeat Canterbury Rams 85 – BOXSCORE

Jets: Daishon Knight (30pts, 16rbs & 11ast), Nikau McCullough (25pts), DeAndre Daniels (22pts & 5rbs)

Rams: EJ Singler (26pts & 8rbs), Deshon Taylor (23pts & 5rbs), Max Darling (15pts & 9rbs)

Game Highlights

It’s hard to go past a triple-double when it comes to highlights from this one. Simply put, Daishon Knight had his hand in everything and propelled his side to victory.

Very little separates the teams in the Sal’s NBL, but what is notiecable with the teams further up the table is the difference their bench makes when thrown into battle. Nikau McCullough was a difference maker for the Jets tonight as he dropped a career-high 25 points at an efficient 66% clip.

It’s not exactly a highlight, but this evening’s clash may be a game the Rams reflect on this season and think what could have been.

Stuff Votes

Daishon Knight (Jets) – 10

Nikau McCullough (Jets) – 7

EJ Singler (Rams) – 7

DeAndre Daniels (Jets) – 4

Deshon Taylor (Rams) -2

(Photo Credit: PhotosportNZ)