MANAWATU JETS END THE IMS PAYROLL HAWKS STREAK
The Breakers Manawatu Jets have ended the IMS Payroll Hawks eight game winning streak with a 88-84 win.
Small forward, Paul Jones starred for the Jets with a game high 29 points, scoring 12 in the final quarter to help his side hold off a Hawks furious finish.
The Bay trailed by 11 with under four minutes to go, but were able to close to within three and had an opportunity to tie the ball game with 20 seconds remaining.
The Hawks wound down the clock, but instead of going for a three, Paora Winitana missed a driving two pointer which then lead to a foul on Jones with seconds left.
Jones slotted the first to make it a four point game and then missed the second to prevent the Hawks from getting a decent shot up.
Nick Horvath grabbed his sixth straight double-double for the season of 13 points and 15 rebounds, point guard Brandon Jenkins had 13 and off the bench, Alonzo Burton scored 11 against his former side.
The Jets are now 5-9, and will be disappointed they did not have a great start to the season, as they have proven that they have playoff potential with wins against the top sides in recent weeks.
Everard Bartlett added 20 for the Hawks and Dustin Scott had 18 points and nine rebounds, despite being in foul trouble which limited his game time to 25 minutes.
The Hawks are at 12 wins and three losses, but they now have a chance to clinch the regular season tomorrow when they host the Zerofees Sharks who lost to the James Blond Supercity Rangers 97-94
Jason Cadee scored 26, Duane Bailey had 17, and Tohi Smith-Milner continued his hot form with 22 points, including 10 in the final quarter.
Dillon Boucher was extremely close to a triple double, tallying 10 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists for the Rangers, who had to hold off the Sharks, who closed to within one point with 46 seconds after Kevin Braswell and Luke Martin hit back to back three’s.
Cadee would knock down two free throws in the next possession, but the Sharks got a score off Brian Conklin and forced a Rangers turnover, setting up a nail biter finish.
Sharks were unable to get a score, and would be forced to foul Cadee, who made two more free throws.
Braswell would have a chance to put the game to an extra period, but it was no good as the Sharks drop to 9-5 and could drop to third if they lose tomorrow to the Hawks.
Braswell had a game high 36 points albeit on 35 shots, Brian Conklin added 24, and Luke Martin chipped in with 17.
Tai Wesley was the only other Shark to reach double digits with 10, but fouled out in 13 minutes.
The Rangers move to 7-9, but at this point would really need results to go their way if they have a chance of the playoffs, especially after 108-79 win the Fico Finance Giants had over the OceanaGold Nuggets.
After struggling in the past two losses, it was only a matter of time before Josh Pace would blow up for a big one and tonight it was at the expense of the Nuggets, tallying 30 points and ten rebounds in what will probably be a player of the week performance.
Jamal Boykin had 23 points, Phill Jones hit 5/8 three’s for 17 points, and Mika Vukona had 11 points and eight rebounds for the Giants, who move ahead of the Pistons to fourth with a 9-7 record.
It was going to be an extremely difficult task for the Nuggets who were missing starters Brendon Polyblank (Broken Nose) and Micah Lepaio (Ankle).
Nelson would start off strong leading 36-16 after the opening period, and would extend their lead to as many as 32.
Warren Carter had 29 points and Brandon Bowdry had 24, but shot 7/21.
Mark Dickel again played forty minutes, and had a stat line of 14 points, ten rebounds and six assists for the Nuggets, who drop to 7-8.
Tomorrow the Advice First Pistons (8-6) will try to move back up to the top four when they host the Canterbury Rams (3-11).
Saturday, June 14
At Saxton Stadium, Nelson
Fico Finance Giants 108 (Josh Pace 30, Jamal Boykin 23, Phill Jones 17) OceanaGold Nuggets 79 (Warren Carter 29, Brandon Bowdry 24, Mark Dickel 14), Final
Referees – Gavin Zimmerman, Hayden Pipe, Brent O’Hagan 1Q: 36-16 HT: 59-42 (23-26) 3Q: 84-60 (25-18) FT: 108-79 (24-19) Live Stats
At Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North
Breakers Manawatu Jets 88 (Paul Jones 24, Nick Horvath 13, Brandon Jenkins 13) IMS Payroll Hawks 84 (Everard Bartlett 20, Dustin Scott 18, Jarrod Kenny 13), Final
Referees – Dallas Pickering, Yalla Edwards, Kieran Udy 1Q: 20-19 HT: 44-40 (24-21) 3Q: 65-59 (21-19) FT: 88-84 (23-25) Live Stats
At Trust Arena, Waitakere
James Blond Supercity Rangers 97 (Jason Cadee 26, Tohi Smith-Milner 22, Duane Bailey 17) Zerofees Sharks 94 (Kevin Braswell 36, Brian Conklin 24, Luke Martin 17), Final
Referees – Tim Brown, Gareth Teahan, Ryan Jones 1Q: 15-29 HT: 45-46 (30-17) 3Q: 70-68 (25-22) FT: 97-94 (27-26)