Basketball: Hawks swoop to avenge defeat

Suleiman Braimoh

Hawks 84 Rams 75

The Hawks' victory last night against the Canterbury Rams again was an affirmation that they have the goods to beat any opponent.

"The quality of the win comes against the quality of the opponents. We kept them [the Rams] to 75 points so I'm really proud of the boys," the IMS Payroll-sponsored Hawke's Bay franchise coach, Liam Flynn, said after they beat Canterbury 84-75 in the Bartercard National Basketball League (NBL) match in Christchurch.

The Hawks lost by 19 points to the Rams in the first of three matches between the sides. The visitors registered only their second victory on the road for four wins from 10 matches.

Flynn said the Rams boasted NBA quality imports and court-savvy Kiwis in their roster.

"It's been a challenging week. We had two great games but they've rewarded themselves with a win tonight," he said after the Hawks lost 96-87 to the Waitakere Rangers in Auckland on Friday after beating them at home earlier in the season.

Hawks import Suleiman Braimoh seems to have found his niche, claiming another double-double of 24 points and 14 rebounds with US import Zack Atkinson chiming in with 16 points and just as many rebounds.

"Su was exceptional," Flynn said, adding their offensive style of spreading the ball had given him room to dribble as well as play from the perimeter and low post.

Last week Mickell Gladness dominated the boards but Atkinson had matched him, if not dominated both ends.

Alonzo Burton didn't get much game time against the Rangers but won kudos from Flynn for landing three baskets from outside the arc last night. The Hawks host the Sharks and Jets this weekend.