The Nelson Giants have dropped to the bottom of Sal’s NBL table after a 95-85 loss to the high-flying Southland Sharks at the Hangar on Saturday.
It was the Sharks 10th straight win to move to the top of the ladder while the Giants have now lost nine of their 12 matches this season.
The home side, coming off the lowest NBL score of the competition, started encouragingly and led 25-21 at the end of the first quarter.
But the bigger and more aggressive Invercargill outfit went on a 10-point tear late in the second quarter and eased out to 49-42 at half-time.
The visitors extended that buffer to 12 before back-to-back three pointers from Kruz Perrott-Hunt and Sam Dempster dragged the margin to within four.
However whenever the Giants threatened the Sharks responded and they won comfortably in the end 95-85.
Veteran centre Tohi Smith-Milner led the way for the home side with 17 points , a bounce back after failing to post double figures in the past five games.
“I had been in a bit of a slump lately. In this group I have to score a little bit more than in other teams, help these young fellas and show them that these old fellas can actually shoot the ball sometimes. The Sharks definitely put us to the test especially big Sammy Timmins at the low post,” says Tohi.
He agrees the Giants need another big man and confirms they still have an import spot in their back pocket.
Auckland small forward Brayden Inger top scored for the Sharks with 25 points.
Their lone American import Shane Gatling amassed 16 points while Kruz and Liam Judd both managed 15.
There is little time to dwell on their latest loss as the Giants are back on home court on Wednesday night against the Manawatu Jets who have had four wins so far.
