THE Dubbo Rams remain without a win after going down to the Lithgow Lazers in the Waratah state league on Saturday evening.
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The bottom-of-the-table Rams got off to a strong start against the third-placed Lazers, scoring 13 points to the visitors' 17 to sit just four points off the money at the first break.
But Lithgow quickly ran away with it, more than doubling the hosts' scores in every subsequent quarter to take the 102-49 victory.
Rams coach Damien Reid said the side had patches of excellence, but lacked consistency and confidence.
"The first quarter I think was the best quarter of basketball we have played all season," Reid said.
"We actually looked like a professional team with the way we were getting through our offence.
"During the first half we actually ran our offence really well. We looked really good, we just need to have the concentration, the commitment and the confidence to carry that through all four quarters."
The second quarter was the highest scoring period for both teams, with the Rams managing 14 as the visitors racked up 35.
Reid top scored for his side with a 12-point haul, but it was not enough to rein in the visitors, as American import Isaac Mack piled on 29 points with Michael Cox close behind with 24.
Junior Rams Adam Wheeler and Zac Mills had been tasked with containing Mack, which they did remarkably well, restricting the import - who piled on 41 points against pool leaders Canberra Gunners last month - to his second lowest points tally for the season.
"Amazing. I think both Adam and Zac, they put in a really big effort against the import," Reid said.
"They [Lithgow] are a quality side across the court. They've got some really handy big guys and their guards, just all across the court.
"They're committed, they've been together for a long time and now that they've added the import as well it completes their team and I see them finishing top two this year, below Canberra. I see them finishing above Wagga.
"We've still got a long way to go obviously. We all need to work on our confidence while we're on the court, I think that's something that's been holding us back.
"We are looking forward to our game next weekend against Shoalhaven. They roughed us up a bit when we had to travel all the way there so we're looking forward to repaying the favour when they return all the way there."