The Huskies surrendered the opening three quarters on Saturday night against Southland Sharks to fizzle away to a 93-73 defeat.

Forced to combat a rival with nearly an all-Australian NBL starting five including two NZ Breakers, the Huskies were already hampered without the steady presence of captain Craig Moller on NBL touring duties in China.

Huskies assistant coach Brett Smith felt the Tasmanians were simply outmanned.

"They had five players in double figures while we had only two," he said.

"So without Craig Moller, we were smashed on the rebounds [down 59-29]. We have struggled on the road against the top four teams."

There was no better example of that than NBL veteran Todd Blanchfield, who slammed down 35 points including eight three-pointers.

Southland pulled out to an 18-4 lead in the early stages of the game that displayed shades of Friday night's rare lopsided 28-4 second-term run from Canterbury Rams.

But the visitors bounced back to score the last six points of the term to draw back to 22-16 at quarter-time.

The Sharks then responded after the break with a 12-3 run through the middle stages of the quarter to maintain a 44-32 half-time advantage.

Blanchfield scored 19 of his points in the first half and only a 14-point effort from Huskies Marcel Jones had ensured the margin didn't blow out further.

But the Invercargill hosts and the Huskies' main rival for fourth spot stepped up again to win the third quarter 27-18 for a 21-point lead.

Despite stemming the flow back from a 25-point deficit, Smith was not surprised over leaving empty-handed.

"The boys are banged up after six games in 14 days [four of them in NZ]," he said.

"Brian Michaels also didn't play due to a recurring knee complaint, while Tre Nichols played while carrying a leg injury. It will be good for the lads to return home, enjoy a week off and be ready for our next home game at the Silverdome on July 29."

Jones scored a standout team-high 25 points.