FRANKLIN Bulls have secured a thrilling four-point win over Hawke’s Bay Hawks to kick-off their New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) in style. The Bulls found themselves trailing at the first break, but then took control from the midpoint of the second term to never concede the lead again. Though it only got into double digits once, the Bulls held on each time the Hawks tried to make a charge, and closed out the match with a 74-70 win.

HAWKE’S BAY HAWKS 20 | 15 | 17 | 18 (70)
FRANKLIN BULLS 17 | 22 | 18 | 17 (74)

The Hawks came into the 2022 season as one of the title contenders, but they were missing Tall Blacks and starting five members Jarrod Kenny, Hyrum Harris and Jack Salt, whilst New Zealand Breakers recruit Corey Webster was missing for the Bulls.

Hawke’s Bay Hawks started the game off relatively strong despite the Bulls leading for the majority of the first term. After a two-point fadeaway jumper from Bulls shooter Isaac Davidson, the visitors lead by three points with 1:57 on the clock. Ethan Rusbatch responded in turn with one of his own long-range bombs off a Derone Raukawa assist, before back-to-back free throw misses from the Bulls gifted the Hawks another chance which they took through Jordan Hunt. Another set of free throws went begging for the Bulls, and Rusbatch secured one of his two when fouled up the other end, and the Hawks took a 20-17 lead into the first break.

Rusbatch was looking good early, and the Hawks maintained a lead until three minutes into the second, when Jayden Bezzant hit two pull up jumpers, and then Denhym Brooke made good from long-range after a Davidson steal and a assist to put the Bulls up by four points. The early form of the term looked like the Bulls were going to run away with the game, scoring 19 of the first 26 points to hold a nine-point lead midway through the term, but the Hawks steadied later in the term to ensure the deficit was just four points at the main break.

Throughout the second half there was a lot of trading of baskets, but the likes of Brooke and Bezzant had build up a Bulls lead to 11 after a 17-10 start to the third. The Hawks again cut it back to the five points, and threw everything they had at the Bulls, but could not get closer than two points which came midway through the last term. Though the Bulls free throw shooting late left a lot to be desired, they did enough to stop the Hawks hitting back, and closed out the match by four points, 74-70.

Hawke’s Bay Hawks marginally won the assists (13-11) and did shoot at a higher clip from outside the arc (27 to 25 per cent), but the statistics largely went in favour of the Bulls. Franklin shot at 45 per cent from the field and 54 per cent from inside the arc, had 11 more rebounds (46-35) and more points in the pain (40-28), whilst securing more steals (10-4) and producing less turnovers (13-14). Their free throw shooting (just nine of 22) was an area that will need to be addressed before the next match.

The Bulls had an even spread across the board, with Anzac Rissetto picking up a double-double of 20 points – nine of 10 from the field – and 11 rebounds. He was well supported by both Brooke (13 points – three of five from beyond the arc – and five rebounds) and Bezzant (12 points, seven assists), whilst Davidson managed 12 points, five rebounds and five steals. Leon Henry pulled down a match-high 12 rebounds coming off the bench in 23 minutes of court time.

Rusbatch tried hard for the Hawks putting up a match-high 22 points – nailing three of nine from three-point range – as well as seven rebounds. Hunt picked up 13 points, 11 rebounds and two assists in a double-double of his own, whilst Raukawa had the 16 points, seven assists and six rebounds in an all-round effort.

Hawke’s Bay Hawks next face fellow Round 1 winners Taranaki Mountainairs on Thursday, whilst Franklin Bulls tackle Southland Sharks on Saturday.