From the Vault: NBL Classic Matches | #15

NBL Classic Match #15: 2013 NBL Regular Season | Hawke’s Bay Hawks vs. Nelson Giants

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Who remembers Josh Pace? The Giants small forward was instrumental in leading his team past the the 2012 minor premiers and his former side in this classic encounter. Pace, a 2003 NCAA champion with the Syracuse Orangemen, scored a match-high 32 points and was a rebound shy of yet another double-double for the Giants who had already secured their spot in the 2013 Final Four playoffs.

Although they were trailing 56-44 at the break, the Tab Baldwin-coached Hawks edged ahead 68-66 in the third and held the lead several times in the final quarter.

US import Brian Greene top scored for the Hawks with 19 points and eight rebounds. Sharpshooter Everard Bartlett added 17 points and Serbian import Darko Cohadarevic chimed in with 14 points and seven rebounds.

Pace was supported with a Mika Vukona double-double, the Tall Black stalwart tallying 14 points and 10 rebounds.

It wasn’t to be for the Paora Winitana-led Hawks however, as Pace and his teammates held on to claim a thrilling 88-86 road victory.

Pace finished the 2013 season as the leagues scoring champion and also earned selection in the All-Star Five alongside Lindsay Tait, BJ Anthony, Brian Conklin and Nick Horvath.

NELSON GIANTS 88
Hawke’s Bay Hawkes 86