The Nelson Giants have made it two from two at home as they won a gritty 103-100 win over the Southland Sharks on Saturday.
After a relatively subdued outing the week before, Giants point guard Kyle Adnam exploded for 32 points and 14 assists, also making the final two free throws to seal the victory.
Nelson were leading by six with under two minutes remaining, but six straight free throws from Jarrad Weeks tied the ball game at 98-98. It looked like the Sharks might sneak away with the win when shooting guard Damon Heuir (24 points) committed his fifth foul. But captain, Sam Dempster, hit a huge three to put the Giants up 103-100.
The Sharks did have another opportunity to tie the game, but forward Conor Morgan was unable to convert the three.
Southland did have a quick start to the contest, leading by 11 by quarter time. But a massive 14-2 run in the second thanks to Finn Delany put Nelson up 46-49. Delany scored 18 of his 25 by halftime.
The Sharks only managed 11 in the second period but behind Morgan they would score 29 in the third. The Canadian international scored 14 consecutive points, setting up what would be an intriguing fourth quarter.
The defence would not tighten up for either side in the final period, the Giants outscoring the Sharks 34-32.
Morgan scored a team-high 23 points, Weeks added 21, and Alex Pledger had 18 despite only playing 22 minutes. Sharks small forward Orlando Coleman was well contained with only six points on three of 11 shooting.
Nelson Giants 103 (Kyle Adnam 32, Finn Delany 25, Damon Heuir 24) Southland Sharks 100 (Conor Morgan 23, Jarrad Weeks 21, Alex Pledger 18)