The Canterbury Rams National Basketball League comeback season sunk to a new low at Cowles Stadium yesterday in a 106-81 blowout loss to the Super City Rangers.
After losing all four of their games in Christchurch this season, the Rams were determined to reward their home fans with a memorable performance.
The Rangers started the game strongly and never allowed Canterbury to get into their flow.
Canterbury were flat in the first quarter, landing just four of their 19 field goals.
They also allowed 34 points as the Rangers raced out to a 17-point lead after the first term.
The Rangers did an outstanding job of moving the ball on offence early on. Australian imports Jason Cadee and Daryl Corletto, who combined for 56 points against the Rams last week, took advantage of some sloppy defence to put their side in firm control.
Super City heaped more misery on Canterbury in the second quarter with their lead blowing out to 27 points late in the half on a Cadee three-pointer.
Rams coach Dave Harrison was upset with his side's effort in the first half, twice delivering a verbal barrage during timeouts.
Trailing 59-32 at halftime, it was effectively game over.
Super City's buffer grew to 37 points early in the second half with baskets failing to drop for the Rams and easy points being conceded at the other end of the court.
The Rams had entered the game with a positive mindset after their most intense training session of the season on Thursday.
Harrison was disappointed his side were unable to put it together for their home supporters.
''That's what hurts the most, knowing there's so many people putting in a lot of effort and we repay them like that. That's tough.''
Canterbury spoke before the clash about stepping up their play defensively after giving up 211 points in two games last weekend.
It was another poor defensive effort from the Rams, which frustrated Harrison.
''There's some good players on that [Rangers] team and they know how to score points. If you make mistakes, you pay, and we made far too many mistakes.
''With the confidence they're playing with, once they had their lead they weren't going to let that go.''
The Rams sit bottom on the NBL ladder with a one-win-10 loss record. It is a bleak return for a side, who have only shown glimpses of their potential this season.
Cadee was a handful for the Rangers again, scoring a game-high 33 points, which included four three pointers.
Corletto added 22, while Duane Bailey continued his steady play with 19 points and nine rebounds.Marcel Jones led the Rams with 22 points, while Richie Edwards finished with 20 on 7/21 shooting.
American imports Glen Dandridge and Matt Rogers were never able to get going offensively, finishing with 13 points apiece.
-The Press
