PHOTOSPORT

Orlando Coleman of the Southland Sharks eludes Xavier Thames of the Canterbury Rams.

The Southland Sharks shot the lights out in more ways than one when defeating the Canterbury Rams in the national basketball league.

After a delayed start at Cowles Stadium in Christchurch, after someone turned the lights out in the arena just prior to tip off, Southland ensured it was a dark Friday night for the home fans.

Each of the Sharks' starting five scored in double figures as the visitors secured a 108-95 win over the Rams.

As a team, the Sharks shot 51 per cent from the field and 45 per cent from deep to efficiently and ruthlessly dispatch the Rams on their own court.

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Orlando Coleman led the way for the Sharks, scoring 24 points on 9-14 shooting, while also claiming 13 rebounds and 5 assists.

But the starting five were generally superb. Jarrad Weeks scored 17 with six rebounds, Alex Pledger had 14 with 12 rebounds, and Conor Morgan grabbed 13 points and six rebounds.

Reuben Te Rangi had a quiet night by his standards, but still scored 11 points.

The Rams were never really in the game.

Winston Shepard (26 points), Xavier Thames (23) and Julian Williams-Washburn (19) tried to bring the Rams back late, but a weak bench performance cost them.

Canterbury only scored 12 points off the bench, where the Sharks had 29 off their bench.

The Hawke's Bay Hawks, meanwhile, won their match against the Taranaki Mountainairs 90-87 on the back of big performances from Dion Prewster and Angus Brandt.

Prewster and Brandt scored 48 combined points to lead the way for the Hawks, providing constant attacking threat which the Mountainairs lacked.

Prewster ended with 25 points on 9-12 shooting, while also collecting seven rebounds. Brandt had 23 points on 8-12 shooting, with 13 boards and five assists.

Javonte Douglas was the only real menace in the Mountainairs line-up, scoring an incredibly efficient 30 points on 12-16 shooting. He shot 50 per cent from deep, and missed just one shot from inside the three-point line.

His big night almost got the Mountainairs home, aided by some late scoring from the other starters, but it wasn't enough.

 - Stuff