Hawks Make a perfect Start with wins Over Taranaki and Waikato
HBS Bank Hawks have started their 2011 campaign well with a solid 86-68 win over the Taranaki Mountain Airs to go to 3 wins from 3. Led by Arthur Trousdell (21 points), the Hawks only had a six point lead heading into the final period. But the Hawks defence was stiffling winning the final period 25-12.
It was the usual suspects for the Hawks, Josh Pace and Paora Winitana each with 17 points. For the Airs Jack Leasure had a game high 23 points, big man Marcus Campbell with 14 points.
It was a similar game to last week, Airs starting off well winning the opening period 29-25. Campbell scoring 10 points in the period.
Trousdell the only Hawks doing the scoring with 10 of the first 14 points and ending up with 14 in the quarter.
Hawks started the second with a 14-2 run, Pace and Winitana doing the bulk of the scoring. The visitors led by as many as 15 in the quarter, Airs scoring a meesly 10 points in the period.
After the break the Hawks went on a slump with only 10 points in the third, Airs not doing much better but managing to win the period by seven.
The HBS Bank Hawks are proving to be the team to beat in the Bartercard NBL with 71-59 win over the Waikato Pistons
They say defence wins championships and the Hawks are already proving this holding the Pistons side who previously averaged over 90 points in their first two games to a poor 59 points.
Josh Pace continued to show why he is one of the best players in the league with stat line of 20 points (9/15 FG), six rebounds and four assists.
Chris Daniel who had his first start of the season, due to Paora Winitana not playing on Sunday had a season high 21 points.
Pistons American Jerry Smith had a game high 21 points, but as a team they were dreadful offensively shooting 34% from the field and only 16% from beyond the arc.
A 19-11 third quarter by the Hawks gave them a 11 point lead heading into the final period. They extended their lead to 16, when they opened the final period with a 5-0 run.
But the Pistons did show some signs of life going on a 9-0 run to cut the Hawks lead to seven.
With five minutes remaining in the game, the Pistons only down six Arthur Trousdell (12 points) and then a Pace field goal put the lead back to ten.
Pistons would get to within six again with one minute left, but two Daniel’s three’s ended the Pistons hope of a comeback win.
The Hawks have now built a decent lead at the top of the table with four wins and no losses and will be pleased that three of them have been on the road.
Hawks got out to an early 10-2 lead to start the game, Daniel’s scoring six quick points.
Pistons guard Hayden Allen (16 points) picking up two fouls early which limited his minutes in the quarter.
Leading by eight for most of the first, the Hawks started to commit a high number of turnovers. Pistons Sylvester Seay (11 points, 10 rebounds) getting a three point play to cut the deficit to three at the end of the first.
After the first the Pistons hit two quick threes to open the second period, the Hawks going on a three minute drought, till a Galen Young (13 rebounds) field goal gave the visitors a one point lead.
Both teams took turns with the lead, Hawks having the biggest lead in the quarter with only four.
After the break the Pistons struggled mightily on offense scoring only 11 points in the third, rebounding also a problem being outrebounded 49-28 for the game.
Pistons now drop to a one win two loss record and will be really hoping the New Zealand Breakers can win tonight so they can have Thomas Abercrombie, Alex Pledger and Beny Anthony return.
The 2009 Champions will have to regroup when they host the Fico Finance Nelson Giants on Wednesday, which will be the first game televised live this season on Sky Sport 3.
Hawks meanwhile continue their journey on the road when they travel down south to play the OceanaGold Nuggets and Zerofees Southland Sharks. If they can win both of these then they will be hot favourites to take out the regular season.
Sunday, April 24
At Rotorua
Waikato Pistons 59 HBS Bank Hawks 71, Final
Referees – Gavin Whiu, Cherryl Crabbe, Kelly McLeod
Pistons v Hawks Box Score
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.