Basketball New Zealand

Rams forward Wilder Auguste recorded a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds (Photosport)

The Marley Canterbury Rams took advantage of a banged-up and under-manned Youthtown Auckland Stars to end their four-game losing streak on Thursday night.

Point guard Jeremy Kench had 25 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals as the Rams pulled away from the Stars in the second half, winning 89-71 to start round seven of the Dominion Finance NBL at ASB Stadium in Auckland.

The Stars were playing without leading scorer, forward Casey Frank, who returned to his native USA for a planned two-week break, with the Stars due to have the bye in round eight, and had three other players struggling with injuries.

The Rams, who had not won since March 8 against the Cartridge World Otago Nuggets, trailed only twice in the game and not again after the 6:28 mark of the first quarter.

They lead by as many as 13 points in the second quarter before a Tyrone Davey and Dillon Boucher-influenced stretch pulled the Stars back within four points, 46-42, at halftime. They went up by double figures early in the third and Auckland were able to close back to six points, but that was a close as they got.

Supporting Kench, who shot 10-of-18 from the floor, was import Wilder Auguste, who posted a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while dropping four assists and swatting four powerful blocks.

Canterbury shared the scoring around, Dave Langrell the only other double-digits scorer with 12 points, while nine of their 10 players scored. The Rams shot a more healthy 43.7% from the field but were 6-of-25 from distance.

Adrian Majstrovich picked up the scoring slack for the absent Frank early, scoring the Stars first 13 points and finished with a game-high 26 points and nine rebounds.

Davey added 17 points and four rebounds, shooting 3-of-4 on three-pointers, while Boucher recorded eight points, a season-high 16 rebounds and six assists before fouling out midway through the fourth and import Larry Bratcher had 10 points.

The Rams back-up tomorrow night on their Northern double-header against the Appliance Shed Harbour Heat on the North Shore, while the Stars will have Frank back when they play again on April 26.

Dominion Finance NBL Round Seven

At ASB Stadium, Auckland
Marley Canterbury Rams 89 (Jeremy Kench 25, Wilder Auguste 18, Dave Langrell 12) Youthtown Auckland Stars 71 (Adrian Majstrovich 26, Tyrone Davey 17, Larry Bratcher 10). HT: 46-42
Stars vs Rams Box Score (21KB html)

Round Seven games, scores and standings