BRENDON EGAN

April 3 2015

The Canterbury Rams aren’t going to have any issues putting the ball in the bucket this season.

Five Rams’ players scored in double digits as their new-look squad beat the Manawatu Jets 114-98 in their National Basketball League season opener at Christchurch’s Cowles Stadium on Friday night.

It was the perfect way for new Rams coach Mark Dickel to begin his tenure in charge after being player-coach of the Otago Nuggets last season.

Canterbury put on an offensive show, scoring 114 points on 50 per cent shooting (43/86) from the field. They landed eight of their 19 three-point attempts (42 per cent).

Rams’ co-captain Ethan Rusbatch gave his side a pass mark first up.

“Our main focus is defence. If we can stop the other team from scoring, offence isn’t going to be a problem,” he said.

“[There were] first game jitters, definitely, but we got the first quarter out the way and we started looking a bit better.”

Manawatu, who sorely missed experienced big man Nick Horvath because a knee injury, were in the game at halftime, trailing 57-52.

The Rams seized control of the contest in the third quarter, outscoring the Jets 32-17 to build a commanding 90-69 lead by the end of the term.

Without Horvath, Manawatu struggled on the glass, being outrebounded by a whopping 54-29 margin.

Middleton Grange schoolboy Sam Timmins, who transferred to Christchurch from Dunedin this season, illustrated why many leading US colleges are eyeing him up. The Junior Tall Black centre, who was handed a surprise start, repaid the faith shown in him by Dickel and contributed 20 points and nine rebounds in an impressive all-round performance.

Canterbury’s star off-season recruit, American big man Mickell Gladness, who played 26 games in the NBA during the 2011-2012 season, created an impact on debut. Gladness was restricted to 19 minutes by foul trouble, but scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. He knocked down a three pointer with his first shot after replacing Timmins in the opening quarter.

Richie Edwards, who is looking to build on an inconsistent 2014 season, scored a team-high 24 points for the Rams while Rusbatch added 19 points on 7/14 shooting, producing an industrious display.

The one blot for the Rams was their defence, which improved after allowing Manawatu to score 17 points in the first five minutes. The Jets scored 24 points in the first quarter on 10/17 shooting.

“Far too many,” Rusbatch said.

“In the first quarter, we gave them 10-15 points too many.”

Manawatu, who lost 100-74 to Southland in Invercargill on Wednesday night, faltered in the second half as mistakes crept into their play and the Rams capitalised.

Brook Ruscoe was the shining light for the Jets, scoring 18 first half points, before finishing with a game-high 28. Ruscoe, who joined from Nelson over the off-season, relished the extended playing time and offensive license given to him by coach Darron Larsen.

In the second half, it was eye-catching basketball from Canterbury, who got away on the fast break, but also asserted their authority inside. The Rams frequently passed the ball around on offence to find the open man, who knocked down the shot. Their offence was often dictated by their defence.  They were quickly able to transition into attack mode after hauling down a defensive rebound and pushing the ball quickly up the floor.

The Rams’ next game is on Easter Monday against the defending champion Wellington Saints in the capital.

Canterbury Rams 114 (Richie Edwards 24, Sam Timmins 20, Ethan Rusbatch 19, Mickell Gladness 14, Kyle Coston 11) Manawatu Jets 98 (Brook Ruscoe 28, Dion Harris 21, Derone Raukawa 20). 1Q: 24-24, 2Q: 57-52, 3Q: 90-69

 – Stuff