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Pistons Survive In OT
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The Waikato Pistons did their best to give the game away in regulation. They did not make the same mistake in overtime.
Despite scoring 20 points in the second half, the Pistons moved back to the top of the Dominion Finance NBL with a 81-76 overtime win over the Easy LPG Bay Hawks at the Te Awamutu Events Centre on Thursday night.
After falling behind 67-65 early in overtime, the Pistons rattled off the next nine points courtesy of Brian Wethers, who finished with a game-high 23 points, Ben Hill and Ray Cameron to take a 74-67 lead with 2:12 remaining in the extra period.
The Hawks, who trailed by 14 points at halftime, got back within three points with 23 seconds to play, but could not make a game-tying three in a frantic finish and Waikato iced the game from the free-throw line.
In a defensive battle, both teams shot under 40 percent from the field and 20 percent on three-point attempts.
Waikato point guard Jason Crowe had 14 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals to back-up Wethers, who shot 9-of-23 from the field and added five rebounds and two assists. Pero Cameron had seven points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals, while Hill, Puke Lenden and Mike Homik also scored in double-figures.
Paora Winitana, who along with Paul Henare sparked the Hawks third quarter fightback that saw them close within two points with a quarter remaining, led the Hawks with 19 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Henare had 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists, while Everard Bartlett was the only other Hawk in double digits with 16 points, three assists and four steals.
Both teams had chances to win the game in the final minute of regulation. Waikato had the last chance, a busted in-bounds play resulting in Pero Cameron missing an off-balance desperation three as time expired.
Dominion Finance NBL Round Nine
At Te Awamutu Events Centre, Te Awamutu
Waikato Pistons 81 (Brian Wethers 23, Jason Crowe 14, Ben Hill 10, Puke Lenden 10, Mike Homik 10) Easy LPG Bay Hawks 76 (Paora Winitana 19, Paul Henare 17, Everard Bartlett 16) OT. HT: 45-31. 4Q: 65-65
Pistons vs Hawks Box Score (23KB html)
