The Taylor Hawke's Bay Hawks put together the hottest shooting passage of the season in their clash with the SIT Zero Fees Southland Sharks, taking down the home side 97-71.
Thirty-seven first quarter points from the Hawks was the beginning of the end for the Sharks, who despite trying their utmost to scramble into place were no match for the plethora of shooters spacing the floor.
The scoring load was evenly spread among the Hawks starters and to make matters worse, the game-high for points was snatched up by Jordan Hunt who entered proceedings from the pine.
Josh Cunningham scored his team's second basket roughly three minutes into the game making the score 4-7, but his side would then go scoreless for the next three minutes while the visitors tacked on 17 more. The hosts added 11 to their cause before the quarter's end, but the Hawks also bumped their total by 13.
Play wasn't much prettier for the Sharks faithful in the second as their team's offence continued to put the ball through the cylinder. Meanwhile, the Hawks were making it look easy when in possession and ended the half 63-35 ahead.
The near thirty-point buffer was a factor in the Hawks appearing to take their foot off the gas and do what was needed to make sure the Sharks were kept at a distance.
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Soutland Sharks (71) lost to Hawke's Bay Hawks (97) - BOXSCORE
Sharks: Dom Kelman-Poto (27pts & 4rbs), Josh Cunningham (13pts & 8rbs), Brayden Inger (10pts & 4rbs).
Hawks: Jordan Hunt (21pts & 4ast), Devondrick Walker (17pts & 4rbs), Rhys Vague (12pts & 8rbs).
Game Highlights
Stuff Votes
Jordan Hunt (Hawks) - 10
Hyrum Harris (Hawks) - 8
Dom Kelman-Poto (Sharks) - 5
Josh Cunningham (Sharks) -2
(Photo Credit: PhotosportNZ)
