After suffering a tough loss the night before in Nelson the Wheeler Motor Canterbury Rams have bounced back emphatically with a 89-77 win over the SIT Zerofees Sharks.
The Sharks have been dominant at home, winning five straight by an average margin of 25 points, but tonight it was a desperate Rams side who were able to finally end they three game losing streak.
Julian Williams-Washburn lead the way for the Rams with 21 points, also adding nine rebounds and seven assists, Winston Shepard III had 17, and both Tony Tolovae and Xavier Thames added 14 apiece.
Tonight the difference was the third quarter after the Rams outscored the Sharks 25-14. A three from Williams-Washburn to start the fourth would put the visitors up 16 and although the Sharks did make a run to get within six, the Rams were able to finish the game off as they now move to 6-4 which places them at fourth, one game ahead of the fifth placed Taylor Hawks.
Sharks were without starting centre, Alex Pledger, for the second straight game, and the league leading team in scoring couldn’t find their offense tonight, scoring a season low 77 points on 39% from the field and 21% from three.
Conor Morgan was the Sharks top scorer at only 14, Jarrad Weeks was the next best with 13, and James Hunter and Tom Vodanovich each added 11 for the Sharks who drop to 7-3.
Week 8: Friday, June 15, 7pm
At ILT Stadium, Invercargill
SIT Zerofees Sharks 77 (Conor Morgan 14, Jarrad Weeks 14, James Hunter 11)
The Wheeler Motor Canterbury Rams 89 (Julian Williams-Washburn 21, Winston Shepard III 17, Tony Tolovae 14)
Live Stats
Photo: www.photosport.nz
