Basketball: Supercity Rangers extend Nelson Giants misery in NBL

The Supercity Rangers have ensured the Nelson Giants remain winless in the National Basketball League.

The Rangers coasted to a 99-87 victory over the Giants to jump back into second on the NBL ladder, and drop the Giants to 0-6.

Earnest Ross was the star for the Rangers in just his second game for the franchise, dropping in 32 points and hauling in 10 rebounds. He hit eight threes - one short of the known NBL record - in the first three quarters, but was barely required in the final period as the Rangers built a 28 point lead.

Ross recieved support from Mitch McCarron, who bounced back from a shocking shooting performance against the Southland Sharks to compile a smooth 21 points, six rebounds and six assists. Lindsay Tait was also efficient with 17 points, six rebounds and seven assists in just 24 minutes of play.

The Giants were playing in their first game since firing coach Alan McAughtry and bringing in new import Morgan Grim.

Having just landed in the country the day before, Grim was quiet in his debut outing, notching nine points in 18 minutes, with three turnovers and four fouls.

Ali Granger had a career outing, gunning away from deep, hitting 5/12 threes to score 19 points in 21 minutes. Dion Prewster had 18 points, five rebounds and five assists, while new coach Brendon Bailey bizarrely only played star forward Finn Delany for 21 minutes.

The Giants made the score more respectable in garbage time, and have to back up tomorrow against the Taranaki Mountainairs. The game is livestreamed on nzherald.co.nz from 3.00pm.