With just 12 seconds left on the clock, Raumanga Royals had a chance to tie their game against Maunu Lights in a nailbiting game at Kensington Stadium.
Tensions were running high in round six of the Super Six Basketball Competition as teams tried to break free of the stranglehold in the
points table for second place, and this game was no exception.
Raumanga missed their top points scorer Caleb Henare, who was suspended from Friday's game for a double technical foul during his team's game against Portland Blazers in round five. But Corey Te Tai and Corey Semenoff dug deep and both shot 16 points.
In the final quarter, Maunu had snuck out to a two-point lead and were desperately defending their minimal advantage when Raumanga's Beau Mackay saw his chance and went for a layout, which touched the rim but bounced off again.
Still down 73-71, it was not the last of Raumanga's opportunities to score again in the closing seconds of the game.
They took a couple of long shot chances but were unable to convert them into points.
After losing to Kaikohe Cougars in round one, the City Hawks fought back to defeat them 76-69, on Saturday. The Hawks led throughout the four quarters, thanks to a big step up in defence.
Travis McIlroy top-scored with 31 points, while Joe Clark shot 20 and, for the Cougars, Arahi O'Donnell put up 21 points and his brother Atama shot 17.
Meanwhile, Kamo were pummeled by competition leaders Portland Blazers 111-63. Portland's Corey Poa was in form shooting 26, while Walter Smith continued to impress, and shot 18 points, while Louis Davis scored 16 for Kamo.
Portland are sitting comfortably at the top of the table with Maunu, Raumanga, City and Kaikohe all tied with six points in second spot. Kamo have not yet posted a win in the competition.
In next weekend's seventh round, Raumanga play Kamo on Friday night, at 6.30pm and Kaikohe meet the Hawks again, tipping off at 2.30pm on Saturday. That game will be followed by Portland versus Maunu at 3.30pm.
All games are at Kensington.
