The defending champion Wellington Saints have cruised to a 107-84 win over the Taylor Hawks.
All five Saints starters scored over double-digits and were led by Corey Webster who scored 29 points in under 25 minutes of action.
After playing last year overseas, former Nelson Giant and 2015 Unrestricted forward of the year, Josh Duinker was impressive in his first outing for the Saints tallying 18 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Tai Wesley added 17 on 8-10 shooting and small forward Leon Henry scored 15.
It was not a start the Taylor Hawks would have liked, and sorely lacked leadership in the point guard position with Jarrod Kenny not yet with the side.
But the Kirsten Daly coached Hawks looked far better than the 0-18 squad of last season and the additions of Everard Bartlett (19 points), Tony Tolovae (18) and Anamata Haku (11) will help the 2006 champions to be more competitive.
Much like the Sharks versus Giants game last night, the home side gained ascendancy from the beginning opening the game with a 19-2 run. The Hawks managed to close within 10 at the first quarter, but Wellington dominated the second and early part of the third quarter extending their lead 70-38.
Wellington head coach Kevin Braswell had the luxury of rotating his squad, as the Hawks avoided at thirty-point blowout winning the final quarter 26-21.
The loss now takes the Hawks losing streak to 21, their last win on June 21, 2015 against the Canterbury Rams who they will be hosting this coming Sunday afternoon.
Tomorrow night should feature the game of the round when Rams travel to Auckland to seek redemption against last season’s runners up James Blond Supercity Rangers who defeated them in last years semi-finals. (Live Stream via NZ Herald)
The Mike Pero Nelson Giants will try to brush off their first loss when they host the Taranaki Mountainairs.
Friday, March 17
At TSB Banks Arena, Wellington
Wellington Saints 107 (Corey Webster 29, Josh Duinker 18, Tai Wesley 17)
Taylor Hawks 84 (Everard Bartlett 19, Tony Tolovae 18, Lamar Roberson 13)