The Southland Sharks secured a hard-fought 91-80 victory over the Otago Nuggets in a thrilling game filled with lead changes. Keylan Boone’s impressive performance, including draining consecutive deep triples, and Caleb Asberry’s strong finish helped the Sharks take control when it mattered most.
Boone led the scoring with 31 points, while Asberry contributed 26 points and Josiah Allick made a significant impact with 12 points and 19 rebounds, 14 of which were on the offensive end.
Despite the Nuggets showing improvement in their offensive flow following the departure of Jose Perez, the Sharks managed to maintain their composure and capitalize on key moments in the game.
The game saw both teams struggle initially, with the Nuggets applying pressure in the paint to challenge the Sharks. However, the Sharks rallied back, with Sam Timmins making a notable contribution after returning from Japan.
The second quarter saw the Nuggets break their dry spell from beyond the arc, with Darcy Knox hitting their first triple. The Sharks responded with strong defensive plays and timely scoring to keep the game close.
As the game progressed, both teams traded leads, with Carey jun and Janssen showcasing their scoring prowess for the Nuggets. The Sharks continued to fight back, with Burton and Freeman making crucial plays to keep the game competitive.
In the end, the Nuggets managed to edge ahead at the end of the third quarter, but the Sharks staged a comeback in the final moments to secure a well-deserved victory.
