Franklin Bulls pull rank over Bay Hawks
- Dave Worsley
- Apr 25
- 2 min read
The Franklin Bulls have consolidated their hold on a top-three spot in the National Basketball League (NBL), with an 88-80 road win over the Hawke's Bay Hawks in Napier
The victory in Week 7 of the Sal's NBL on Friday night at Rodney Green Arena takes the Logik Bulls to 10-3, tied with the Wellington Saints for wins but third in the standings, while the Big Barrel Hawks slip to eighth, with a 5-5 record.
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The first quarter was close with just a one point margin, but in the second the visitors pulled a away for an nine point margin at halftime 48-39.
It was all the Hawks in the third quarter 23-12 to take the 62-60 going into the final time period, however the Bulls stood up to outscore their opponents 28-18 to win by eight overall.
The Bulls had five players in double-figures as North Carolina guard Tae Hardy led the way with 20 points, followed by David Okwera with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Veteran Marcel Jones chipped in with 15 points, Tobias Cameron 14 points and German big Till Gloger 13 points.
For the Hawks, West Australian Dan Grida top-scored with 23 points and nine rebounds, while Wani Swaka Lo Buluk dropped 14, along with Jackson Ball and Darnell Cowart 13 each. Liam Yates scored six points and pulled down 11 rebounds.
The Hawks are away to the Saints on Sunday (tip-off 2.30pm). and then at home against the Whai on Thursday (tip-off 7pm), while the Bulls do not play again until next Friday (tip-off 7.30pm) when they host the Otago Nuggets.
In the Sky Broadband Rapid League game, the Hawks held on for a 38-37 win over the Bulls, thanks to Campbell Scott's 11 points and Kobe Kara's 10 points. Christian Vano and Zion Anderson scored in double-digits for the Bulls.
Franklin Bulls 88 (Tae Hardy 20, David Okwera 16. Marcel Jones 15, Tobias Cameron 14, Till Gloger 13) Hawke's Bay Hawks 80 (Dan Grida 23, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk 14, Jackson Ball 13, Darnell Cowart 13). 1Q: 21-20, HT: 48-39, 3Q: 60-62
