NZL - Birdstrike!

AUCKLAND (NBL) - Captain Paora Winitana and Australian import Andrew Rice combined for nearly 50 points and 9/12 from beyond the arc as their Easy LPG Bay Hawks steadied their Dominion Finance NBL campaign with a comprehensive 101-73 road win over Inspire Net Manawatu Jets.

The defending champions were staggering a little at 5-4 after losing to Blue Chip Nelson Giants last weekend, but responded in convincing manner in Palmerston North, building a 28-21 lead after the opening quarter and never looking back.

By the end of the third quarter, the advantage was 16 points ... then the Hawks nailed the coffin shut with a 21-9 final term. It well and truly ended Manawatu's run of close games - their last three outings had extended into overtime.

Winitana led all scorers with 25 points, including 5/7 3pt, while Rice had 24 points (10/12 FG, 4/5 3pt). The Hawks shot impressively across the court - 54.9% FG, 50% (12/24) from afar and 84.6% FT.

They also held the Jets' leading scorer Brandon Payton (21.1 points) to just nine points (4/13 FG, 1/5 3pt). Swingman Reece Cassidy topped Manawatu's scorecard with 16 points, adding four steals.

The Hawks are now 6-4 for the season and rest until May 12 when they travel to Century City Wellington Saints. Manwatu (2-7) must dust themselves off for a road game against U Park It Waikato Pistons on Saturday.


Easy LPG Bay Hawks 101 (Paora Winitana 25, Andrew Rice 24, Everard Bartlett 16, Kareem Johnson 11)
Inspire Net Manawatu Jets 73 (Reece Cassidy 16, Matt Te Huna 15, George Byrd 14, Aaron Nowell 13)

Quarter 28-21
Halftime 51-38 (23-17)
Threequarter 80-64 (29-26)
Fulltime 101-73 (21-9)


2007 Dominion Finance NBL Table

Youthtown Auckland Stars 8 2
Appliance Shed Harbour Heat 7 -
Blue Chip Nelson Giants 7 3
Century City Wellington Saints 6 3
Easy LPG Bay Hawks 6 4
U Park It Waikato Pistons 4 4
TET Taranaki Mountain Airs 4 7
Inspire Net Manawatu Jets 2 7
Scenic Circle Canterbury Rams 1 7
Cartridge World Otago Nuggets 1 9

Grant Chapman