They extended their winning streak to eight games with a 99-89 win against the Otago Nuggets in Dunedin last night.
They cemented their spot at the top of the competition standings.
The win was achieved without star centre Sam Timmins, who sat the game out with an injury.
Caleb Asberry shone with 29 points, while Rylan Jones netted 18 points and made seven assists.
They pushed the pace of the game and the Nuggets did their best to cling on.
The captain, Ethan Rusbatch, had his best night in the Nuggets singlet. He collected 29 points and eight rebounds, and Buay Tuach posted a double-double of 25 points and 12 rebounds in front of 1691 fans.
Craig Moller was good value for his 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The Nuggets played as well as they could against an outfit that is setting the pace in the 2026 National Basketball League.
The home side made a hot start to the game.
Rusbatch connected with three early triples. Moller hit the target as well.
The Sharks got inside for a couple of baskets to cut the lead.
The pace was breakneck.
Asberry sliced to the hoop, picked up a foul and added the extra to trim the gap further for the visitors.
Isaac Miller-Jose dunked down the other end.
It was all action.
The Nuggets nursed a 27-26 lead following a pulsating opening 10 minutes.
Asberry sent a stray pass speeding into the crowd early in the second. The quick reaction of a spectator saved their drink. Very close call there.
The robust figure of Max Darling landed on the back of Nuggets point guard Alain Louis during a clash under the rim.
The crowd felt that one, too.
Tuach swished the ball from the top of the key for the Nuggets.
But the Sharks edged out to a tenuous five-point lead.
Rusbatch busted out the hook shot for back-to-back buckets to keep the margin tight.
He was carrying a heavy load at the offensive end and the responsibility sat nicely on
his shoulders. He landed another three-pointer, but the Sharks took a 53-47 lead into halftime.
Louis picked up a fourth foul early in the third period and took a seat on the bench.
The Sharks continued to inch further ahead.
Brayden Inger’s lay-up stretched the lead to 10.
There were increasing doubts the Nuggets could match the scoring power of the competition frontrunners over the long haul.
But to their credit, they battled hard to stay within range and went into the final period trailing 74-63.
Tuach smoked a couple of threes, but the Sharks front-footed that action with two of their own.
The gap remained stubborn and unrepentant.
But midway through the half, it began to yield a little.
Moller stuck three free throws and Rusbatch collected another point from the technical foul that Tobais Cameron gave up.
But Jones slotted in a three-pointer and a reverse lay-up to get the game into safe territory again.
The Nuggets beat the Sharks 37-34 in the Rapid League game.
NBL
The scores
Southland Sharks 99
(Caleb Asberry 29, Rylan Jones 18)
Otago Nuggets 89
(Ethan Rusbatch 29, Buay Tuach 25)
Quarter scores: 26-27, 53-47, 74-63, 99-89
