By GEOFF LONGLEY - The Press

Cougars claw back deficit to beat Hawks Tall Black Frank late addition to Saints Jeremiah Trueman hungry for court time NBL rundown - the good and the bad LeBron James toys with Nets for double-double Eric Devendorf lights up Giants in NBL opener Wildcats newcomers to ANBL Finals China's Yao Ming to be a father Fit Jeremy Kench eager to return to Tall Blacks NBL tips-off amid tumultuous backdrop The Christchurch Cougars staged a breathtaking rally to come from 20 points down to pip the Bay Hawks 75-72 in their opening national basketball league match at Cowles Stadium in Christchurch last night.

The Cougars set a new standard for come-from-behind thrillers. However, coaches Andrew Gardiner and Craig Hickford would like the wins to come more comfortably rather than take years off their lives.

The Cougars looked buried after a miserable second quarter where they managed just 12 points as the visitors charged to a 48-30 lead by the break.

However, the second spell was a mirror image of the first in reverse as the Cougars lifted, and the Hawks faltered – enabling the Cougars to climb.

It was anyone's game in the closing stages as the Hawks rallied with the pinpoint three-point shooting of Ben Hill. Hill drilled three three-pointers to resuscitate the flagging Hawks.

With less than 30 seconds remaining, the Cougars led 74-72 and the Hawks had possession. However, Chris Daniel's attempt hit the 30-second clock above the backboard. An attempt from Nat Connell was blocked by Jeremy Kench, and Aidan Daly was fouled with five seconds left.

He made one, but the second bobbled out – only for Daly to secure the precious rebound and the game.

Gardiner said he was relieved the team had decided to perform in the second spell after the out-of-sorts second quarter.

"We had not been aggressive enough or working as a unit on defence. We improved that, and things started to happen."

The Cougars' superior fitness showed in forcing a whopping 12 turnovers, while the visitors only landed nine points.

Paora Winitana helped spark the Cougars with his individual brilliance, at one stage losing control of the ball as he went to lay the ball up but recovering to make the basket.

Winitana helped the Cougars storm home with 27 points, while point guard Kench also lit up with 20, along with seven assists and four steals.

However there was a heavy reliance on these two offensively, with some of the Cougars' half-court game-work sloppy.

In contrast, the Cougars looked better on the up-tempo fast-break.

For the Hawks, it appeared that former Canterbury Rams players David Langrell and Nat Connell would have a happy homecoming, with the duo dominating in the first spell.

Langrell, the Hawks captain, could do little wrong – landing 18 points that ended up being his game tally – while Connell had contributed 11 by the break. Hill chimed in with a late flurry.

RESULTS

Cougars 75 (Paora Winitana 27, Jeremy Kench 20) Hawks 72 (David Langrell 18/10 rebs, Nat Connell 15, Ben Hill 12, Chris Daniel 11).

Quarter-time scores: 18-19, 30-48, 51-57.

Waikato Pistons 92 bt Nelson Giants 73 in Te Awamutu.