Towering American Greg Clausen propelled Hawke's Bay to a 91-64 National Basketball League victory over Otago at the Pettigrew Green Arena in Taradale tonight.
With 22 points and 16 rebounds, the Mighty Hawks import outgunned Nuggets outstanding American Mike Pegues in a game that staggered along amid lighting failures.
The home team remained more composed as power surges throughout the region, caused by bitterly cold weather, had the new stadium in near darkness on several occasions.
The Hawks' tactics of getting the 2.1m Clausen involved in the game worked as he dominated the boards at both ends of the court.
Hawks skipper Paul Henare (16 points and nine rebounds) and fellow Tall Black Paora Winitana (22 points) also had outstanding games as the Hawks took control in a second quarter with four light failures to lead 42-27 at halftime.
Roger McPherson had a strong second half to finish with 12 points and five rebounds and Murray Barker was outstanding off the bench with six points and 13 rebounds.
Pegues, second on the NBL Player Power rankings, had a relatively subdued game with 22 points and 12 rebounds, as did Tall Black guard Mark Dickel.
NBL Roundup
Saturday:
Hawke's Bay 91 (Greg Clausen 22, Paora Winitana 22, Paul Henare 16, Roger McPherson 12) Otago 64 (Mike Pegues 22, Andrew Parke 13) Halftime: 42-27
Nelson Giants 97 (D McCulloch 27, P Jones 20, J Flavell 11, E Book 11, D Rampton 10) Canterbury Rams 71 (J Whorton 21, R Manahi 12, A Gardiner 10, D Langrell 10) Halftime: 45-34
Auckland Stars 94 (Lindsay Tait 24, Casey Frank 23, Daryl Cartwright 22) Harbour Heat 89 (John Smith 27, Rob Tuilave 18) Halftime: 43-41
Friday:
Manawatu Jets 93 (David Cooper 14, Glen Newbold 12) Otago Nuggets 72 (Mark Dickel 24, Mike Pegues 15) Halftime: 44-32
