Sharks handle Tuatara, through to NBL semis
- NZ Sports Wire
- Jul 11
- 2 min read
The Southland Sharks are moving on in the National Basketball League (NBL) Playoffs after taking care of business on their home floor.
The Sharks rode their hot shooting from the field to pull away from the Auckland Tuatara in the third quarter for a 91-75 victory in their NBL elimination game at Invercargill's ILT Stadium Southland on Thursday night.
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American guard Caleb Asberry exploded for 35 points (16/18 FG, 3/3 3pt), along with 10 assists and four steals in 34 minutes, while three other Sharks starters finished in double-digits.
Fellow import Josiah Allick recorded a double-double, with 19 points (8/8 FG), 14 rebounds and four assists, Keylan Boone had 11 points (4/8 FG), four boards and six steals, and Kiwi big Sam Timmins 10 points (5/9 FG), six rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
Southland also got valuable contributions off the bench, with captain Alonzo Burton adding nine points and Brayden Inger seven points and nine boards.
Tall Blacks forward Tom Vodanovich top-scored for the Tuatara with 22 points (7/15 FG, 6/12 3pt), four rebounds and three steals but without Rob Loe and Reuben Te Rangi, they did not have enough offensively.
Auckland's three American imports were the only others in double figures, with Luther Muhammad going for 18 points (8/20 FG), four boards, five assists and two steals, Buay Tuach 17 points (7/13 FG) and four steals, and Charles Pride 11 points (4/11 FG, 3/6 3pt) and seven rebounds.
The Tuatara shot just 36 percent from the field and 33 percent on three-point attempts, while they were outrebounded 45-35.
Despite committing 25 turnovers, the Sharks were not troubled in the second half, after taking the lead for good with a 12-0 run midway through the first period. They shot 60 percent from the floor and 40 percent outside the perimeter.
Auckland were still within a point late in the second quarter but a 16-5 stretch to end the third changed the game, with the Southland going up 21 points. The Tuatara never got closer than 16 points in the fourth.
In the semifinals, the Sharks will face the two-time defending champion Canterbury Rams at Christchurch's Cowles Stadium on Saturday (tip-off 2pm), while the regular season champion Wellington Saints will host the Tauranga Whai at TSB Arena on Sunday (tip-off 3pm).
Southland Sharks 91 (Caleb Asberry 35, Josiah Allick 19, Keylan Boone 11, Sam Timmins 10) Auckland Tuatara 75 (Tom Vodanovich 22, Luther Muhammad 18, Buay Tuach 17, Charles Pride 11). 1Q: 26-18, HT: 47-38, 3Q: 76-57
