Tough Night For the HBS Bank Hawks

In Hawkes’s Bay, Telecom Business Hub Jets have ended their three-game losing streak with an 80-66 win over HBS Bank Hawks, who suffered their second straight defeat.
It was going to be a difficult task for the Hawks, who were without their two leading scorers – Everard Bartlett (ankle) and Brian Greene (suspension).
Hawks did lead after the first quarter, but a 29-19 second period by the visitors was the difference, as the Jets outscored the Hawks in both the third and fourth quarters.
Mr Double-double Nick Horvath led all scorers with 23 points and added 16 rebounds.
American’s Marcel Jones and Chris Hagan each added 16, as Manawatu now push up to one game over 0.500.
Dion Prewster was the top scorer for the Hawks with 18, but without their key scorers, they really struggled offensively, particularly in the third quarter where they only had 11 points.
The loss puts the Hawks to nine losses, which will probably be the end of their playoff aspirations, as the Jets have swept the regular-season series.
Jets meanwhile remain in the hunt and their playoff hopes are squarely on their home game against Zerofees Southland Sharks, who started their road trip the right way, defeating The Good Home Taranaki Mountain Airs 101-93.
Brian Conklin shot 10/15, scoring 27 points, while off the bench, Leon Henry collected a double double of 20 points and 11 rebounds.
The visitors turned a four-point half-time lead to 12 at the end of the third, but Taranaki made a late run and closed to within three with nearly three minutes to go.
Southland pushed their lead to a three-possession ball game, which they would hold for the remainder of the game, making it their seventh win of the season.
Taranaki came out strong in the second quarter, leading by as many 10 points, but the Sharks outscored the Airs 23-7 to lead by six.
But a poor third quarter ultimately cost Taranaki, who slump to 4-9 for the season, which will probably put them out of the playoff hunt.
Jack Leasure nearly collected a double double of 24 points and nine assists. Kenny Gabriel and Link Abrams scored 21 and 20 respectively.
Sharks will now travel up north to play James Bond Super City Rangers, gunning for win number eight of the season.
Fico Finance Nelson Giants have stepped up big, giving the OceanaGold Nuggets only their second loss of the season, winning 87-82.

Franchise player Josh Pace proved why he is one of the best in the league, as he led the Giants with 22 points.
Mika Vukona also had a big game, scoring 20 points, which included 10/10 from the foul line.
Overall, it was a game of playoff intensity, as neither side were able to get a double-digit lead.
Giants took an early six-point lead after the end of the first period, but the Nuggets fought their way back, outscoring the home side 24-16 to have a slim two-point buffer at the half.
Each team would take turns to lead during the second half, but Nelson made a decisive 11-1 run during the fourth quarter, taking a three-point deficit to a seven-point lead with three minutes left.
The game was not over though, when the Nuggets closed to within two points with still two minutes to go.
The home side rallied when guard Brook Ruscoe made a two-pointer, followed by two free-throws made by Pace.
Point guard Mark Dickel replied with a three-point play to make it a one-possession game, but Otago would miss their next four attempts, as the home side evened the home-and-away series.
Beny Anthony again had a strong game for Otago, scoring 24 points, and has really shown how versatile he has become, converting 3/4 from the three-point line.
But the Giants did a good job of attacking imports Akeem Wright and Antoine Tisby, who were both plagued with foul trouble.
Otago still remains on the top of the ladder, but is now only one game ahead of the Wellington Saints.
Nelson are still third with nine wins and three losses, but the win solidifies their position for the playoffs.

Saturday, June 15
At Pettigrew Green Arena, Taradale
HBS Bank Hawks 66 (Dion Prewster 18, Darko Cohadarevic 14, Alonzo Burton 11) Telecom Business Hub Jets 80 (Nick Horvath 23, Chris Hagan 16, Marcel Jones 16), Final
Referees – Dallas Pickering, Sean Cronin, Gareth Tehan
1Q: 20-17
HT: 39-46 (19-29)
3Q: 50-59 (11-13)
FT: 66-80 (16-21)
Live Stats
Live Stream via Sportwebcasts.com

At TSB Stadium, New Plymouth
The Good Home Taranaki Mountain Airs 93 (Jack Leasure 24, Kenny Gabriel 21, Link Abrams 20) Zerofees Southland Sharks 101 (Brian Conklin 27, Kevin Braswell 23, Leon Henry 20), Final
Referees – Tim Brown, Shane Nikora, Apai Apai
1Q: 21-19
HT: 45-49 (24-30)
3Q: 64-76 (19-27)
FT: 93-101 (29-25)
Live Stats
At Trafalgar Centre, Nelson
Fico Finance Nelson Giants 87 (Josh Pace 22, Mika Vukona 20, Erron Maxey 18) OceanaGold Nuggets 82 (Beny Anthony 24, Akeem Wright 17, Antoine Tisby 14), Final
Referees – Melony Wealleans, Nick Naylor, Matt Bathurst
1Q: 25-19
HT: 41-43 (16-24)
3Q: 64-63 (23-20)
FT: 87-82 (23-19)
Live Stats