Jets see off Sharks, solidify playoff spot
- NZ Sports Wire
- May 29
- 2 min read
The Manawatu Jets took another step towards ending their long National Basketball League (NBL) playoffs drought.
The Jets, out of the postseason since 2012, defeated the Southland Sharks 91-88 to open Week 11 of the Sal's NBL at Hawera's TSB Hub on Wednesday night to improve to 8-5 and fourth spot in the standings.
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With Tall Blacks veteran Corey Webster still out for Manawatu, young Kiwi guard Dontae Russo-Nance stepped up, hitting the game-winning transition three with just four seconds remaining.
Russo-Nance finished with a team-high 21 points (9/16 FG, 3/7 3pt), six rebounds, five assists and three steals, while the Jets' three imports also did the heavy lifting on offence.
Forward Miles Gibson produced 19 points (6/16 FG, 2/5 3pt, 5/6 FT), seven boards and three assists, new import guard Quinton Rose 18 points (7/14 FG, 2/5 3pt), six assists and four steals, and Kenny Goins 11 points (5/8 FG), five boards and three assists.
Isaac Miller-Jose also had 11 points (4/6 FG), five rebounds and four assists, a steal and block, as the Jets starting five scored 82 of their 91 points.
Forward Keylan Boone scored a game-high 29 points (9/16 FG, 4/10 3pt, 7/7 FT), eight rebounds and three steals, supported by 14 points (4/7 FG, 3/5 3pt, 3/4 FT), six boards, six assists and two steals from fellow American Caleb Asberry.
Sharks captain Alonzo Burton provided 15 points (5/14 FG, 5/13 3pt) and import centre Josiah Allick 10 points (4/6 FG), five rebounds and five assists.
In a game in which neither side led by more than eight points - with 12 lead changes and eight ties - the Jets took the lead for good in a frenetic final minute.
Miller-Jose, Gibson and Russo-Nance all hit late threes to either tie the game or take the lead. Sam Timmins gave Southland an 86-84 lead with 51 seconds to play, while Boone hit a pair of free-throws with nine seconds left to level it at 88-88.
The Jets overcame a 14-0 Sharks run that turned an eight-point lead into a six-point deficit. Manawatu had an 11-0 stretch early in the second period but their lead was fleeting.
Manawatu (8-5) catch a break, with their next game not until Sunday, June 8 when they take on the Giants (3-10) in Nelson (tip-off 1pm), while the Sharks (5-8) take on the Taranaki Airs (8-4) in New Plymouth on Friday (tip-off 7.30pm).
Manawatu Jets 91 (Dontae Russo-Nance 21, Miles Gibson 19, Quinton Rose 18, Kenny Goins 11, Isaac Miller-Jose 11) Southland Sharks 88 (Keylan Boone 29, Alonzo Burton 15, Caleb Asberry 14, Josiah Allick 10). 1Q: 17-23, HT: 46-48, 3Q: 66-61
