IMS PAYROLL HAWKS EDGE SHARKS IN OT

IMS PAYROLL HAWKS EDGE SHARKS IN OT

Sunday was a day of overtimes, as the IMS Payroll Hawks edge the Zerofees Sharks 94-89 in extra time.

Earlier today the Canterbury Rams had their first road win of the season in an overtime thriller against the Advice First Pistons.

Tonight, shooting guard Everard Barlett scored a season high 29, leading the Hawks to a victory that looked unlikely when they trailed by 13 points in the early stages of the fourth quarter.

A three from Darryl Jones gave the Hawks a 76-75 lead with under three minutes to go, and when Bartlett made two free throws with 13 seconds to go, the Sharks needed a three to tie the game.

Most people would have thought it would be Kevin Braswell who would take the three, but it was his back court partner Luke Martin who made the clutch three to send the game into overtime.

Martin scored a team high 25 points, and also made a three point play in the overtime to give the Sharks a 85-83 lead with 3:17 remaining.

But Martin would foul out a couple of minutes later, and the Hawks would re-take the lead scoring the next three points off free throws.

Braswell would score in the following possession to level the scores, but after that it would be all Hawks, as they scored the next six points to seal the win.

Jarrod Kenny had an impressive game of 21 points, six steals and five assists for the Hawks, who shot 42% from the three point line.

Brian Conklin and Braswell each scored 20, and after being limited to 13 minutes the night before, forward Tai Wesley added 18 points and 10 rebounds in 40 plus minutes.

Southland have now lost three straight on the road and are in a log jam with the Saints, Giants and Pistons with only one game separating second to fifth.

The Sharks will play their next game at home to the Rams before they play a road double of Nelson and Canterbury in the final round of the regular season.

The Hawks will be happy to avoid their first losing streak of the season with today’s win, but will want to finish the regular season on a high note playing Taranaki and Otago before they prepare for the playoffs.

At Pettigrew Green Arena, Napier

IMS Payroll Hawks 94 (Everard Bartlett 29, Jarrod Kenny 21, Darryl Jones 12) Zerofees Sharks 89 (Luke Martin 25, Brian Conklin 20, Kevin Braswell 20), Final OT

Referees – Melony Wealleans, Apai Apai, Gareth Teahan 1Q: 25-21 HT: 40-43 (15-22) 3Q: 57-65 (17-22) 4Q: 80-80 (23-15) OT: 94-89 (14-9) Live Stats

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