Canterbury Rampages 2001 - 4 August: Rams v Titans

A blazing 44 point, 20 rebound performance from Waikato Titan forward Clifton Bush ended the WestpacTrust Canterbury Rams chances of a National Basketball League playoff spot on Saturday at the WestpacTrust Centre.

Even a dominating 34 point, 21 rebound performance from Rams inside force John "Pope" Whorton was not enough to stop the visitors from racking up their fourteenth win and remaining unbeaten this season, 114-98.

The match was hyped as a "Pope" versus "Super Bush" and these players certainly did not disappoint. Bush was the catalyst of a stellar 21-0 point run, taking the game from a 40-all score-line to an unassailable 61-40 point advantage.

Whorton provided much for the Rams Fans to cheer about displaying a high work rate at both ends of the floor, and cleaned up much of the scraps from errant Canterbury shots with 13 offensive rebounds.

The game began with a physical explosion with numerous players from both sides hitting the deck, exhibiting their desire to win. Courtesy of some solid team play the Rams were able to jump out to a 9-4 lead. However, Waikato answered with two long range baskets from guard Prem Krishna and slashing drives from Bush to lead 27-21 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter meandered along with Canterbury swingman Luke Ruscoe working some magic from the free throw line with five successful attempts and the game levelled at 40-all. The Titans then increased their intensity running the up-tempo game to perfection, reeling off ten straight points to go into half-time leading 50-40.

After the half-time break Waikato kept the pressure on, causing numerous Rams' turnovers, and shot out to a 61-40 lead. For the rest of the quarter Canterbury traded baskets with the fast-breaking Titans, to be down 56-79 at the end of the third.

The final quarter was a testament to the Rams spirit, hustle and crowd support, trying their best to get back into the game but the Titans answered almost every scoring run. Canterbury exploded for 42 points in this quarter compared to Waikato's 35. However the damage had been done earlier and the effervescent Titans coach Jeff Green openly celebrated with his team at the final buzzer.

Waikato's main demolition workers in the victory were Bush, forward David Hopoi and guard Nat Connell. Hopoi scored 18 points and Connell had 13 points along with six crucial steals.

Shining stars in the Rams loss, aside from Whorton, included Ruscoe who sky-walked his way to a career best of 21 points, including an emphatic slam dunk in the final quarter. Captain courageous Dave Langrell had a solid all-round statistical game with 13 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals. Athletic forward Craig Farrant, who was appearing in his 200th NBL game, had six points.

The Rams must now summon up their spirits to take on another formidable opponent next Saturday, the Nelson Giants in Nelson. The Burger King Challenge Cup is up for grabs

Visitors: Digital Mobile Waikato Titans

Name

3 Pt

PTS

ORB

DRB

AST

MIN

Chris Tupu

1/5

1/4

0/0