A stunning third quarter has propelled the Nelson Giants to a big road-win over the Southland Sharks in Invercargill on Thursday night.
Down by 12 points at half time, the Giants forced a 14-point swing in the third quarter to lead by two heading into the final period of the game.
It wasn’t plan-sailing from there though, the Sharks again raced out to a six-point lead in the fourth quarter before the Mike Pero Nelson Giants again had to dig deep and stage another fight-back, eventually winning the game 96-90.
The Giants headed into the match as favourites, despite their home loss to Hawkes Bay Hawkes in Nelson last Saturday night. Nelson welcomed back star-player Trey Mourning after an illness forced him to miss the game against the Hawkes, and Southland went into the game on a three-match losing streak.
But it was the hosts that dominated the early stages of the game, forcing the Giants to shoot from the three point line and getting the better of the exchanges inside the paint. Southland led by five points at the first quarter and 12 points at half time.
The Giants second-half fightback was led by their American imports. Trey Mourning dropped 21 points, Jarrod West scored 19 and Sam Thompson, who struggled in his debut for the Giants last weekend, lead the scoring with 23.
Giants captain Sam Dempster also had a strong game, scoring 10 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
The win sees the Giants move into the top four, with a game in hand.
Their southern road-trip isn’t over yet either, on Saturday night the Giants will play the Otago Nuggets in Dunedin.
Scores:
1st quarter: 25-20 Southland
HT: 54-42 Southland
3rd quarter: 72-70 Giants
FT: 96-90 Giants
