Southland Sharks Edge Tauranga Whai in Overtime Thriller, 102-96

It was a night that had everything. The Southland Sharks and Tauranga Whai served up one of the most gripping regular season contests of the Sal’s NBL New-Zealand campaign, with neither side able to separate themselves across four quarters. When the buzzer sounded on regulation time, the scoreboard read 81-81, and overtime was needed to settle the contest. The Sharks ultimately prevailed 102-96, claiming a hard-fought win in Southland.

Asberry and Cameron Carry the Sharks

Caleb Asberry was the standout performer of the night. The guard poured in 31 points to go along with 6 rebounds and 4 assists in 39 minutes, providing the spark the Sharks needed when the game was on the line. His ability to create and score in high-pressure moments proved decisive as the contest stretched into overtime.

Keylan Boone vs Caleb Asberry — comparaison

Tobias Cameron was equally impressive, playing all 44 minutes of the game and finishing with a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds. His endurance and consistency throughout the contest gave the Sharks a reliable presence on both ends of the floor. Keylan Boone added another double-double — 19 points and 11 rebounds — making it a dominant night on the glass for Southland. Samuel Timmins chipped in 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Brayden Inger contributed 9 points and 5 assists to round out a well-balanced team effort.

Whai Fought Hard but Fell Short

Tauranga Whai were far from passive. Xanda Marsters led the visitors with 23 points and 5 rebounds in 35 minutes, consistently finding ways to keep his team in the game. Nicholas Stoddart was particularly efficient, posting 17 points and 4 assists in just 20 minutes off the bench — a performance that helped the Whai stay competitive deep into the fourth quarter.

Reuben Te Rangi added 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in 36 minutes, giving Tauranga a reliable secondary option. Jordan Ngatai brought energy on the boards with 7 rebounds, while Kiani Saxon contributed 8 points and 3 assists in limited time. Despite the collective effort, the Whai could not find the stops they needed in overtime to deny the Sharks.

The game ultimately came down to execution in the extra period, where Southland’s depth and composure made the difference. With the 102-96 victory, the Sharks demonstrated their ability to close out tight games — a quality that could prove crucial as the Sal’s NBL regular season continues.