The Auckland Tuatara snapped their four-game losing streak and took a significant step towards the Sal’s NBL playoffs with an 89-77 win over the Southland Sharks in Invercargill on Friday night.
American import Siler Schneider powered the visitors to a pressure-relieving win that saw the Tuatara move to 8-5 on the season and draw level with the Nelson Giants atop the Sal’s NBL standings once again.
Guard Schneider led all scorers with 28 points while adding eight rebounds, four assists and four steals in another terrific performance.
Skipper Rob Loe added 17 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block in another strong outing.
Coach Aaron Young got plenty out of his squad with Dontae Russo-Nance (15), Braydon Iuli (11 points) and Nick Barrow contributing eight points in a solid team showing.
Having lost four straight games at the death in recent weeks, the Tuatara bounced back to winning ways in the first game of their southern swing. They will take on the Otago Nuggets at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin on Sunday.