The next spell started with Napier-born Taranaki guard Alonzo Burton dropping one from outside the arc to level, 23-all, before some basic errors including an air shot.
Normal transmission resumed with South Africa import forward Grant Fiorentinos, Bartlett and Fox finding some love from the rim but the opposition looked a little rattled as Burton couldn't outwit the shot clock and then got pick-pocketed in a costly points spell at both ends.
The Hawks went into the locker room 48-44 up at halftime with some questions on cohesiveness and communication matters needing resolving on the court although co-captain Kenny's presence was undeniable with six assists and four rebounds.
Grant and Fox were the equal-leading scorers (10pts) while Bartlett and Jones (8) added to the cause.
It was fair to assume Mountainairs coach Trent Adams and his assistant, Dave Bublitz, wouldn't have reached for the panic buttons as Burton and Tylor Ongwae kept them in the hunt with 11 points each.
Six minutes into the third spell Taranaki stole the lead 59-58 as the Hawks' defence, at times, parted like the car wash rollers at a petrol station.
The third quarter ended with the Hawks opening up a respectable lead, 67-61 (19-17) but Taranaki's intent a reminder that it wasn't going to be over until the final buzzer.
That became evident in the final spell, with 7:44 minutes to go, Taranaki levelled 67-all as they hugged captain and old warhorse Aaron Bailey-Nowell for taking one to the body despite conceding two from the charity line.
After last Sunday's overtime loss to the Canterbury Rams, Daly-Taylor cast a glance of consternation towards the digital scoreboard as Taranaki again levelled, 69-all, as her troops coughed up possession, picked up fouls and guard Tony Tolovae failed to deposit from the free-throw line.
But, mercifully, Mountainairs also lost love with the rim, got the butter fingers and also conceded fouls to enforce free throws.
A hush took over the PG Arena faithful as Taranaki broke the deadlock, 71-69, with a shade more than two minutes to go.
A timeout was inevitable with 1:06 to go, amid hollering from both sides to officials for fouls on them.
It was Tolovae who brought the house down with a three-pointer from the top of the D to nudge the Hawks ahead, 72-71, when play resumed.
Fiorentinos got his foot to urge the fans to jeer down Houston O'Riley and the crowd responded, denying him one point off the charity line but the point guard had the last laugh with a steal and basket to put the visitors ahead, 74-72, and 26:1 left on the clock.
With 9:2 to go, Bartlett missed from the carpark but Fox had a chance to re-gather and drop it in the hole from right under it but hauntingly missed.
The Fiji-born, US-based player's body language said it all as Mountainairs gleefully took possession, counted down time to draw a foul which Ongwae sunk, 76-72.
With 2:6 to go, the Hawks hit back 75-76 but Burton drew a foul for the visitors although his miss from the free-throw line was elementary as the hosts NBL despair continued.
Relieving import Fiorentinos claimed a double-double 12 points and 13 rebounds while Bartlett top scored with 21 in a match-equal high with Taranaki's Ongwae who also pulled out seven rebounds.
Burton and Gomis contributed 13 points each while the import picked off just as many off the boards for a double-double.
O'Riley showed his worth with 11 points and six rebounds.
Bailey-Nowell added nine points to the collective and took seven rebounds.
