The Wheeler Motor Company Canterbury Rams got their season back on track tonight with an 87-76 victory over the Property Brokers Manawatu Jets at Cowles Stadium.
Both sides were yet to register a strike in the win column before the second round Sal’s NBL fixture got underway, but thanks to a handful of tidy displays by men wearing red and black singlets it was the visitors who tasted defeat.
Rams import EJ Singler (20pts, 8rbs & 7ast) was due a performance we’re used to seeing from a player of his calibre and the American delivered for those who turned out for their first home game. Three of his five triples for the evening came in the opening spell, guiding his side to a 28-22 lead at the first.
The second quarter was the scrappiest of the four, with neither team able to get a real roll-on offence. The opponents traded blows right out of the main break, although the Rams always looked the more settled of the two.
The Jets backcourt of Daishon Knight (24pts, 6rbs & 5ast) and Jayden Bezzant(20pts & 5rbs) were once again responsible for the bulk of the scoring load, the pair doing the best they could to keep the deficit surmountable.
They trailed by eight at the start of the fourth but that was the closest they’d get to tying or passing the home side’s total. Their next opportunity to get on the board comes tomorrow night when they take on the Go Media Otago Nuggets.
Canterbury Rams (87) defeated Manawatu Jets (76) - BOXSCORE
Rams: EJ Singler (20pts, 8rbs & 7ast), Deshon Taylor (16pts, 7rbs & 5ast), Jack Salt (13pts, 9rbs & 2blk).
Jets: Daishon Knight (24pts, 6rbs & 5ast), Jayden Bezzant (20pts & 5rbs), Shane Temara (11pts & 9rbs).
Game Highlights
Stuff MVP Votes
EJ Singler (Rams-10)
Jayden Bezzant (Jets-7)
Sam Smith (Rams-4)
Jack Salt (Rams-3)
DeShon Taylor (Rams-3)
Nikau McCullough (Jets-2)
Daishon Knight (Jets-1)
Up Next
Franklin Bulls v Nelson Giants
Otago Nuggets v Manawatu Jets
Hawke's Bay Hawks v Southland Sharks
