NBL Round 8 (Regular Season): Sharks defeat Rams in the game between Top 4 teams

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

An interesting game for Sharks (8-2) which played road game in Christchurch against 3rd ranked Rams (5-2). First ranked Sharks managed to get a 9-point victory 104-95. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rams. Sharks made 20-of-22 free shots (90.9 percent) during the game. American guard Caleb Asberry (191-2000, college: OK State) orchestrated the victory by scoring 33 points (!!!) (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). The former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-1997, college: Washington) contributed with 22 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. International forward Walter Brown (196-2003, college: UNLV) replied with 32 points and 8 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) for Rams. Sharks have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 8-2 record. Rams at the other side keep the third place with two games lost. Sharks will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Rams will play on the road against Airs in New Plymouth and are hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
An interesting game for Sharks (8-2) which hosted in Southland 4th ranked Saints (5-3). First ranked Sharks managed to get a 14-point victory 104-90. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Saints. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Caleb Asberry (191-2000, college: OK State) who helped to win the game recording 26 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) and Rylan Jones who added 26 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals during the contest. American guard Elijah Pepper (193-2001, college: UC Davis) responded with 43 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds. Sharks have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 8-2 record. Defending champion Saints keep the fourth place with three games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Bottom-ranked Hawks managed to get the second consecutive victory on Sunday night. This time they won against ninth-ranked Giants in Nelson 102-96. And what about a second win in a row after ...five consecutive losses. The winners were led by Keanu Rasmussen who scored that evening 39 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Hawks' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists by Kruz Perrott-Hunt did not help to save the game for Giants. Hawks (2-5) moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Giants and Whai. Giants lost third consecutive game. Hawks will meet higher ranked Bulls (#7) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Giants will play against Nuggets and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 8 Saints beat Airs on the road 81-71. Nuggets were destroyed by Tuatara on its own court 72-98.



Airs - Saints 71-81

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Saints (5-3) beat 6th ranked Airs (3-5) in New Plymouth 81-71 on Saturday. Saints forced 19 Airs turnovers. The winners were led by American guard Elijah Pepper (193-2001, college: UC Davis) who scored that evening 29 points and 8 rebounds and Australian forward Akech Aliir (204-2000) supported him with 19 points and 6 rebounds. Even 15 points, 6 assists and 4 steals by American guard Aaron Cook (188-1997, college: Georgia) did not help to save the game for Airs. Power forward James Moors (208-2000, college: Colorado St.) added 14 points and 9 rebounds for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Saints have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains fourth position with 5-3 record. Airs lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with five games lost. They share the position with Bulls. Saints will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Airs will play against Rams (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Airs: A.Cook 15+3reb+6ast, J.Moors 14+9reb, S.Taane 11+7reb+2ast, B.Quintin 10+5reb, B.Stroud 8+6reb, X.Green 8+7reb
Saints: P.Elijah 29+8reb+3ast, A.Aliir 19+6reb+1ast, D.Carlin 10+6reb+7ast, J.Hunt 10+11reb, I.Donte 7+5reb+2ast, L.Izayah 4+4reb+7ast

Nuggets - Tuatara 72-98

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 5th ranked Nuggets' (4-3) home loss to fourth ranked Tuatara (6-2) in Dunedin 72-98 on Saturday. The winners were led by the former international forward Thomas Vodanovich (201-1994, college: JMU) who scored that evening 20 points and 6 rebounds and American guard Josh Dilling (193-2001, college: NKU) supported him with 15 points and 7 assists. Even 12 points and 9 rebounds by forward Isaac Miller-Jose (203-1998, college: Manitoba) did not help to save the game for Nuggets. American swingman Buay Tuach (198-1995, college: LMU, agency: Haylett Sports) added 13 points and 5 rebounds for the hosts. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Tuatara moved-up to second place. Nuggets lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth position with three games lost. Tuatara will meet at home bottom-ranked Whai (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Nuggets will play against Giants (#9) in Nelson and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Nuggets: B.Tuach 13+5reb+3ast, M.Isaac 12+9reb+3ast, T.Thata-Paese 11, E.Rusbatch 10+4reb+1ast, A.Louis 10+3reb+1ast, B.Matthew 6+2reb
Tuatara: V.Thomas 20+6reb+2ast, D.Josh 15+2reb+7ast, J.Chris 14+6reb+2ast, D.Wilkie 12+1reb+1ast, L.Robert 11+8reb+2ast, Z.Riley 10+7reb+3ast

Rams - Sharks 95-104

An interesting game for Sharks (8-2) which played road game in Christchurch against 3rd ranked Rams (5-2). First ranked Sharks managed to get a 9-point victory 104-95. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rams. Sharks made 20-of-22 free shots (90.9 percent) during the game. American guard Caleb Asberry (191-2000, college: OK State) orchestrated the victory by scoring 33 points (!!!) (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). The former international power forward Samuel Timmins (211-1997, college: Washington) contributed with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. International forward Walter Brown (196-2003, college: UNLV) replied with 32 points and 8 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and international power forward Jack Andrew (208-2001) added 17 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Rams. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Sharks have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 8-2 record. Rams at the other side keep the third place with two games lost. Sharks will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Rams will play on the road against Airs in New Plymouth and are hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Rams: W.Brown 32+8reb+3ast, T.Choh 18+5reb+4ast, J.Andrew 17+8reb+3ast, T.Britt 17+4reb+5ast, R.Rougeau 4+8reb+3ast, H.Jake 4+4reb
Sharks: A.Caleb 33+3reb+1ast, T.Samuel 22+10reb+2ast, J.Rylan 19+4reb+10ast, B.Inger 11+2reb+3ast, B.Keylan 9+8reb+1ast, T.Cooper 8+4reb+1ast

Giants - Hawks 96-102

Bottom-ranked Hawks managed to get the second consecutive victory on Sunday night. This time they won against ninth-ranked Giants in Nelson 102-96. And what about a second win in a row after ...five consecutive losses. The winners were led by the former international guard Keanu Rasmussen (188-2003, college: CBU) who scored that evening 39 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 5 assists and international guard Jackson Ball (191-2008) supported him with 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Hawks players scored in double figures. Hawks' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists by the former international guard Kruz Perrott-Hunt (191-2000, college: S.Dakota) did not help to save the game for Giants. Finnish Eemi Luukkonen (203-2002) added 21 points and 8 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) for the hosts. Hawks (2-5) moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Giants and Whai. Giants lost third consecutive game. Hawks will meet higher ranked Bulls (#7) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Giants will play against Nuggets and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Giants: K.Perrott-Hunt 22+5reb+5ast, E.Luukkonen 21+8reb+2ast, L.Judd 17+2reb, M.James 10, D.Samuel 10+4reb+1ast, M.Alexander 8+4reb+5ast
Hawks: R.Keanu 39+6reb+5ast, J.Ball 21+7reb+4ast, G.Daniel 13+9reb+4ast, J.Chase 12+9reb+1ast, M.Jeremy 8+3reb, B.Alonzo 5+4reb+2ast

Sharks - Saints 104-90

An interesting game for Sharks (8-2) which hosted in Southland 4th ranked Saints (5-3). First ranked Sharks managed to get a 14-point victory 104-90. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Saints. Sharks players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Caleb Asberry (191-2000, college: OK State) who helped to win the game recording 26 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) and the other American import point guard Rylan Jones (183-2000, college: Samford) who added 26 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals during the contest. American guard Elijah Pepper (193-2001, college: UC Davis) responded with 43 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds and international guard Izayah Leafa (188-1996, college: Sacramento St.) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists. Five Sharks and four Saints players scored in double figures. Sharks have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 8-2 record. Defending champion Saints keep the fourth place with three games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Saints: E.Pepper 43+5reb+2ast, C.Davison 11+7reb+3ast, A.Akech 11+5reb, I.Le'afa 10+11reb+8ast, D.Ingram 8+3reb+2ast, H.Jordan 6+3reb+2ast
Sharks: A.Caleb 26+6reb+7ast, J.Rylan 26+5reb+5ast, B.Inger 15+11reb+1ast, T.Samuel 14+5reb+5ast, B.Keylan 13+4reb+3ast, T.Cooper 6+3reb