The Rams had plenty of chances against the Wagga Heat and led for almost the entire first half at the Woolshed but the ejection of Martin Iti and scoring droughts at the start of third and fourth quarters ultimately led to a 86-77 loss.

Iti was done for unsportsmanlike behaviour in the first half and then in the third quarter, after scoring on three straight possessions to get the Rams back in front, he was hit with a technical foul and given his marching orders.

“That was the turning point,” Sykes said, Wagga hitting two subsequent free throws to take the lead heading into the final quarter.

“It’s disappointing and some key moments cruelled us and I thought we were a bit hard done by as well.

“But there was the same drama we’ve had week in, week out and we’ve spoken about it a lot and not sure what else we can do to change it.”

Adding to the disappointment around the result is the fact the Rams have fallen further off the pace.

With seven rounds remaining the Dubbo side sits second from bottom with three wins while the Heat’s victory was their fifth of the season and they move into fourth spot.

“We were there and thereabouts and would have moved level with Wagga had we beaten them but we have a nice run home and the tough teams we play we play here so it’s just going to be a week by week proposition,” Sykes said of the finals race.

“I’m just not as confident as I was before tonight.”

Things looked good for the Rams early on Saturday and the hosts led 24-20 after the first quarter.

American Adam Ward was well-shackled in attack but he was tremendous in defence and his efforts played a major role in Dubbo heading into the break with a 42-40 advantage.

But the third quarter was where things started to turn.

Dubbo struggled to create opportunities and while the Heat hit three straight three-pointers, the Rams posted just eight points in the first seven minutes of the third stanza.

The Heat were threatening to move clear but Iti used his size and strength to get under the basket and his three successful possessions got his side up by one.

But when he was adjudged to have conceded a blocking foul is frustration got the better of him and after swearing he was hit with a technical and ejected.

“The referees come from elsewhere and we just seem to be on the wrong end of the stick each week,” Sykes said.

“We get big crowd and get an advantage that way but that can be neutralised by the referees and it makes it hard. But you don’t want to blame them.”

Sykes described the support as “brilliant” and there was a sea of pink in the crowd for the annuals Pink Angels charity night.

While the Rams didn’t give in during the final quarter, the lack of Iti’s size and some weariness was telling and a professional Wagga outfit took control and ran out nine-point winners.

Connell Crossland injected himself brilliantly at times for the victors, throwing down a couple of monsters slam dunks, while the ball movement was outstanding throughout the match.