Basketball: Suspect defence sinks Hawks

Morgan Natanahira's radar was switched on.

Jets 105 Hawks 90 Palmerston North

With import Suleiman Braimoh out player/coach Paora Winitana got off the physiotherapist's table to score 29 points but it still wasn't enough to get the Hawks a win.

The IMS Payroll-sponsored Hawke's Bay side lost 90-105 on Saturday in Palmerston North to remain in the hunt for a victory since the franchise sacked Australian coach Liam Flynn last week because he was "not the right fit for the organisation".

The Hawks, who came off a 70-82 away loss to the Wellington Saints on Friday night in the double-header, gave way at the seams against the Manawatu Jets the following night despite going into the locker room tied 40-40 at halftime.

Hawks assistant coach Geroge Galanopoulos said the defence of his troops was suspect in leaking 105 points as the Jets clinched their best-of-three-match series 3-0.

Against the Saints, the Hawks had started sluggishly, but against the Jets they claimed the first quarter 21-17.

"We had some good starts and great moments and were 40-40 at the break but we weren't getting back in transition play," Galanopoulos explained, as he was left speculating on whether it was because of the lethargy that might have kicked in with the back-to-back matches or simply a case of a lack of focus.

"We were jogging back at times and following so it took its toll on us and hurt us."

The Hawks had started without centre Zack Atkinson, but as soon as they injected him the US import had made an immediate impact on the boards to finish with 15 rebounds, a dozen defensively, and a point shy of a double-double.

Overall, though, the Jets won the rebounds 45-35. They took steals 10-5 while the Hawks tripped 28-22 on fouls committed.

"We're not going to win many games with rebound stats like that," Galanopoulos lamented.

Bench forward Morgan Natanahira stepped up big time with 17 points in the absence of injured Nigerian import Braimoh. "I'm inspired by the way Morgan plays. He gives his heart and soul," the American coach said, adding it took dexterity to do that against Jets' quality big men.

As predicted, it was fox terrier Brook Ruscoe who scored a game-high 36 points and, consequently, pre-occupied the mind of Hawks point guard Jarrod Kenny who managed 12 points and six assists.

"JK battled hard but maybe he ran out of steam a little," Galanopoulos said.

Jets skipper Jeremiah Trueman claimed his fifth double-double with 13 points and 16 off the glass.

Asked if he had anything to add, Galanopoulos said all he wanted was for the Hawks to finish on a good note to give the PG Arena faithful a few wins.

The 4-10 Hawks sit in seventh place on the NBL table, above the last-placed, win-less Taranaki Mountainairs who play at PG Arena on Saturday.