RAMS NEWS: JET-SET FOR PLAYOFFS?
by Piet Van Hasselt
1 August 2003

The Manawatu Jets took the first step towards their playoff dream with a solid win over the Scenic Circle Rams in Christchurch, 76-66.  With the Giants loss tonight, the Jets can secure a place in the semis with a win over Otago tomorrow night, or a loss by the Giants to Taranaki.  Australian Centre David Cooper was simply outstanding doing all of the "dirty work" for the Jets and restricted the impact of Rams big man John Whorton.  Cooper accumulated 14 points, 17 rebounds and six blocked shots.  Stacey Lambert and Kent Mori combined for 30 of their 50 points in the first half and shone from the outside with a superb display of marksmanship.  Mori finished the game with 17 and was perfect from behind the arc (4/4) and even added six rebounds.  Lambert scored his 23 points in crucial bunches that put the Jets up double-figures on two occasions.  Rams Andrew Gardiner was not afraid to launch his shot in his final BK League, and scored 7 points, including a crowd pleasing three  He also crashed the boards effectively with 10 rebounds, moving him past 1000 for his career regular season record.  Whorton assured himself of the league rebounding title with 16 boards, including nine offensive.

Manawatu Jets 76 (Stacey Lambert 23, Kent Mori 17, David Cooper 14)

Canterbury Rams 66 (John Whorton 23, David Langrell 10)

Halftime 45-30
BOXSCORE