Leading IMS Payroll Hawks secure spot in NBL's Final Four
The IMS Payroll Hawks have booked their place in the National Basketball League's Final Four, defeating the Super City Rangers 105-90.
Everard Bartlett had an all-round game with 20 points, 10 assists and six rebounds as the Hawks made their run in the third quarter, outscoring the Rangers 32-14.
The visitors led by as many as 22 in the fourth quarter, but the Rangers high-scoring offence managed to whittle the deficit down to seven with 3:41 left.
But the Rangers were outscored 10-2 from there, with the Tab Baldwin-coached Hawks now at 12-2, closing in on their franchise-best regular season record of 13-3 in 2012.
Kareem Johnson was his efficient self with 24 points on 10/14 shooting, and fellow American Dustin Scott notched up his seventh double-double for the season with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
It was going to be a tough ask for the Rangers, who earlier in the week had allowed former Breaker Darryl Corletto to return to Australia.
Jason Cadee had a game-high 25, Duane Bailey added 24 points and 10 rebounds, and Tohi Milner-Smith scored 18.
The Rangers slim playoff hopes look very distant, most likely needing to win the remainder of their games and hope other results go in their favour.
Bay Hawks 105 (Kareem Johnson 24, Dustin Scott 21, Everard Bartlett 20) Super City Rangers 90 (Jason Cadee 25, Duane Bailey 24, Tohi Milner-Smith 18). 1Q: 27-23, HT: 55-53, 3Q: 87-67
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