The Canterbury Rams have had to go to overtime holding off the gutsy Taylor Hawks 99-87.
Canterbury point guard Jeremy Kendle took over in the extra period ending the game with 31 points, while Marcel Jones added a double-double of 33 points and 10 rebounds as last year’s regular season champions go 1-1 for the weekend.
As for the Taylor Hawks the loss now puts their losing streak to 22, but it is only a matter of time before they get a win, especially when point guard Jarrod Kenny returns.
After trailing by as many as 10, veteran Everard Bartlett nearly took the game away from the Rams when he hit a three and was fouled by Kendle with 24 seconds left, tying the game at 83 all. But Bartlett was unable to convert the free throw, allowing the Rams to go for a game winner.
Marcel Jones was able to break free of Tony Tolovae to get an open look at the top of the three-point line, but it went stray, setting up the first overtime of the season.
Canterbury quickly gained momentum thanks to 11 straight points from Kendle in overtime, preventing any possibility of another Hawks comeback.
Hawks head coach Kirsten Daly was not afraid to bench her import Lamar Roberson who had three early fouls, playing only nine minutes in total. Daly opted for interim forward Grant Fiorentinos who brought energy off the bench, scoring a team high 25 points on 12-16 shooting.
Hawks forward Joshua Fox also added 10 off the bench as him and Fiorentinos, alongside Bartlett were able to cut a 10-point deficit in the third quarter.
Head coach Mark Dickel will be relieved that his side survived today especially without key starter Ethan Rusbatch and only an 18-hour turnaround from the loss to the Rangers last night. One concern for Dickel will be trying to keep import Will Neighbour on the court as the 6’11” centre fouled out in 19 minutes with nine points and only one field goal.
It will be another relatively speedy turnaround for the Rams when they host the Wellington Saints in four days’ time. Hawks will again play at home on Sunday against the Taranaki Mountainairs.
Sunday, March 19
At Pettigrew Green Arena, Taradale
Taylor Hawks 87 (Grant Fiorentinos 25, Everard Bartlett 23, Joshua Fox 12)
Canterbury Rams 99 (Marcel Jones 33, Jeremy Kendle 31, Tohi Smith-Milner 10), OT