Hawks Continue To Climb
Tagged in: Competitions, NBL
Slowly but steadily the Easy LPG Bay Hawks have moved their way up the Dominion Finance NBL standings this season.
With a 92-76 home win over the Property Brokers Manawatu Jets, who had their playoff hopes killed off, to start round 13 on Wednesday night at Pettigrew.Green Arena, Shawn Dennis’ Hawks improved to 9-5 and third in the League.
Tall Blacks swingman Paora Winitana led the way with 25 points, backed-up by 19 points from American centre Kareem Johnson, 17 from guard Aidan Daly and 12 from new recruit Calum MacLeod.
The Hawks made it a non-contest early, taking a seven point lead after the first period, then extending it out to 17 points by the half.
But with their playoff dreams leaving town, the Jets surged to within two points with a period to play - a 30-15 third period forcing the Bay to work well into the fourth before putting Manawatu away.
American imports Kantrail Horton and Keith Davis were the studs for the Jets, Horton finishing with a game-high 33 points and Davis 17 points, 20-year-old guard Piers Finch the only other scorer in double digits with 15.
The game ended a stretch of five games in 11 days for Manawatu, who went 1-4 during that span.
The Hawks back up in round 13 with a road trip to Nelson to face the CPS Nelson Giants on Saturday, while the Jets next game at home to the Century City Wellington Saints in round 14 on May 31.
Dominion Finance NBL Round 13
At Pettigrew.Green Arena, Taradale
Easy LPG Bay Hawks 92 (Paora Winitana 25, Kareem Johnson 19, Aidan Daly 17, Calum Macleod 12) Property Brokers Manawatu Jets 76 (Kantrail Horton 33, Keith Davis 17, Piers Finch 15)
1Q: 26-19
HT: 51-34 (25-15)
3Q: 66-64 (15-30)
FT: 92-76 (26-12)
Hawks vs Jets Box Score (21KB html)
