HBS Bank Hawks have won the NBL Regular Season
The HBS Bank Hawks have won the NBL Regular Season for the first time in franchise history, defeating an under strengthed Telecom Business Hub Jets 78-69.
Everard Bartlett hit six of eight treys, as he led the Hawks with 21 points, Kareem Johnson and Galen Young each adding double double’s in points and rebounds.
Jets, who have already clinched a Final Four berth, elected to rest imports Chris Hagan and Josh Pace, which gave Marcel Jones another run, scoring a game high 25 points.
After trailing by as many as 17 in the second quarter, the home side locked the Hawks up in the third quarter, restricting them to only 11 points, which closed the gap to three heading into the final quarter.
A field goal by Jeremiah Trueman (13 points), got Manawatu to within one point with more than eight minutes remaining.
But the Hawks went on a 15-4 run, which put the scores at 73-61, with just under three minutes to go.
Eight unanswered points by the Jets, closed to within four with 1:12 left, but they were unable to secure a rebound off a Johnson missed free throw, as Young grabbed an offensive board, which followed by a Bartlett three, pushing their lead up to seven.
Hawks able to seal the victory which would end the Jets five game winning streak.
The Bay finish the regular season with a 13-3 win/loss record, which is the best in their franchise history, even bettering their 2006 record of 12-4, when they won their first championship.
They will now face the Wellington Saints in the semi final, which marks the fourth straight season the two teams have met in the playoffs.
Jets (10-6) will face the James Blond Pirates (13-3) in the other semi, which makes for an interesting contest as they each held their home court advantage this season.
The TAB Final Four is next weekend at TSB Bank Arena Wellington, make sure you get your tickets at ticketek.
Sunday, May 20
At Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North
Telecom Business Hub Jets 71 (Marcel Jones 25, Matt Te Huna 13, Jeremiah Trueman 13) HBS Bank Hawks 80 (Everard Bartlett 21, Kareem Johnson 20, Galen Young 13), Final
Referees – Melony Wealleans, Sean Cronin, Gareth Tehan
1Q: 19-29
HT: 31-45 (12-16)
3Q: 53-56 (22-11)
FT: 71-80 (18-24)
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