ROBYN EDIE/STUFF

Southland Shark James Hunter puts up a shot with Airs defenders Dane Brooks and Javonte Douglas contesting.

The Southland Sharks have moved up to second in the National Basketball League with a win over the Taranaki Mountain Airs, but the race for the top four got tighter on Friday night.

In the other game, the Hawke's Bay Hawks accounted for the Canterbury Rams on the road, 91-76.

The Hawks now have a 5-3 record, and are only behind the fourth-placed Rams because they have played – and lost – one extra game. They could move into the playoff spots as soon as Saturday, when they round out week six of the NBL against the third-placed Giants in Nelson.

Former Ram Ethan Rusbatch starred on his return to Cowles Stadium in Christchurch, leading the Hawks with 22 points, while also dishing out nine assists.

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Angus Brandt backed him up with a 20-point, six-rebound outing, while guard Jarrod Kenny had 18 points and seven assists.

Julian Williams-Washburn had 24 points and Winston Shepard III 18 for the Rams, with Shepard III also adding nine boards and eight assists.

The Hawks edged ahead by three by the end of the first quarter, and held on to their lead from there, though the Rams threatened to come back as the third quarter ended. A 23-13 final period for the Hawks kept them at bay.

Meanwhile, at ILT Stadium Southland in Invercargill, the Sharks were in dominant form as they dispatched the Airs, 92-71.

Conor Morgan led the way for the Sharks with a 20-point, eight-rebound performance, while Tom Vodanovich went for 17 with six boards, and Orlando Coleman had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. 

Guard Jarrad Weeks had eight assists to go with his 11 points.

Import Javonte Douglas was the main man for the Airs, who trailed from start to finish, putting up a double-double of his own with 27 points and 19 rebounds.

The Sharks opened up an 11-point gap by the end of the first quarter, and the Airs could only reduce it by two in the second period. The hosts then blew the game open in the third spell, outscoring the visitors 29-13 to put the game to bed.

AT A GLANCE

National Basketball League, round six

Southland Sharks 92 (Conor Morgan 20, Tom Vodanovich 17, Orlando Coleman 14) Taranaki Mountain Airs 71 (Javonte Douglas 27).
1Q: 27-16, HT: 44-35; 3Q: 73-48.

Hawke's Bay Hawks 91 (Ethan Rusbatch 22, Angus Brandt 20, Jarrod Kenny 18) Canterbury Rams 76 (Julian Williams-Washburn 24, Winston Shepard II 18).
​1Q: 21-18, HT: 43-35, 3Q: 68-63

 - Stuff