NBL Round 14: Hawks are upset by Huskies

Harrison Froling

The Regular Season in NBL just ended. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most important game in the last round took place in Hobart between second ranked Hawks (14-4) and fifth ranked Huskies (9-9) on Saturday night. Hawks were crushed by Huskies on the road 112-70. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Hawks. Huskies dominated down low during the game scoring 76 of its points in the paint compared to Hawks' 26. They outrebounded Hawks 70-50 including a 48-32 advantage in defensive rebounds. Huskies looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was Australian center Harrison Froling (211-98, college: Marquette) who had a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds. Naturalized American forward Marcel Jones (203-85, college: Oregon St.) chipped in 21 points and 13 rebounds. Swingman Darryl Jones (196-85) produced a double-double by scoring 14 points and 13 rebounds for the guests. Newly promoted Huskies maintains fifth position with 9-9 record. Hawks at the other side keep the second place with four games lost.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Tamatea. Second ranked Hawks faced one of their biggest challengers Rams. Host Hawks (14-4) defeated guests from Christchurch (13-5) 77-71. The former international guard Jarrod Kenny (188-85) orchestrated the victory by scoring 21 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Ethan Rusbatch contributed with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks for the winners. Australian swingman Cameron Gliddon (197-89, college: Concordia Irvine) replied with 15 points and 8 rebounds for Rams. Rams' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Hawks have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 14-4 record having four points less than leader Saints. Rams at the other side keep the third place with five games lost.
Undefeated leader Saints delivered the eighteenth consecutive victory on Sunday night. This time they crushed 7th ranked Rangers (3-15) 113-67 in Auckland. Robert Loe scored 21 points and 7 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners. Denhym Brooke responded with 7 points and 9 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Undefeated Saints (18-0) have an impressive 18-game winning streak. They maintain first position with a perfect record of 18 victories in a row. Rangers lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 15 games lost. They share the position with Airs.
The game in New Plymouth was also worth to mention about. Sixth ranked Giants (7-11) played at the court of 7th ranked Mountain Airs (3-15). Giants defeated Mountain Airs 94-82. Tyrell Harrison notched 25 points and 9 rebounds to lead the effort. Mountain Airs' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Giants maintains sixth position with 7-11 record. Mountain Airs at the other side keep the seventh place with 15 games lost.

In the last game of round 14 bottom-ranked Jets were crushed by Sharks in Southland 123-83.
The best stats of 14th round was 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists by Nick Kay of Saints.