The Bay Hawks have kept their National Basketball League flame flickering with a gutsy quarterfinal win over the North Harbour Heat in Auckland tonight.

Their 82-77 road win earned them a semifinal against top qualifiers Wellington in the capital on Friday night.

They rose to the challenge after a sloppy first quarter when they trailed 15-24.

But thereafter the Hawks lifted their game, dominating the second period 27-12 to edge in front by halftime.

Point guard Josh Pace served them extremely well, posting 28 points in a fine individual display.

North Harbour's best was Rick Rickert with a game-high 30, while Beny Anthony contributed 17 to a losing cause.

Harbour Heat 77, (Rickert 30, Anthony 17, Anderson 10) 0800 Easy LPG Bay Hawks 82, (Pace 28, Bartlett 9, Rogers 9, Kenny 9) Final Referees - Dallas Pickering, Andy Thackray, Jamie Hickey 1Q: 24-15 HT: 36-42 (12-27) 3Q: 54-58 (18-16) FT: 77-82 (23-24)

Harbour Heat 54, (Rickert 15, Anthony 13, Anderson 10) 0800 Easy LPG Bay Hawks 58, (Pace 15, Bartlett 9) 3Q Referees - Dallas Pickering, Andy Thackray, Jamie Hickey 1Q: 24-15 HT: 36-42 (12-27) 3Q: 54-58 (18-16) At North Shore Events Centre,

North Shore Harbour Heat 36, (Rickert 11, Anderson 10, Anthony 6) 0800 Easy LPG Bay Hawks 42, (Pace 13, Langrell 6, Bartlett 6, Henare 6) HT Referees - Dallas Pickering, Andy Thackray, Jamie Hickey 1Q: 24-15 HT:36-42 (12-27)