Basketball: Saints routing adds to Hawks' woes

US import Kareem Johnson (in black) scored 12 points for the Hawks last night. PHOTO/FILE

The Hawks' climb out of the doldrums became harder after the Wellington Saints stomped all over them last night.

The Saints routed the Indigo Hawks 106-63 at the TSB Bank Arena in the capital city in round five of the National Basketball League.

The hosts surged to a 22-point lead at halftime before extending that to as many as 46 in the final quarter to seal their fourth victory.

Torrey Craig led all scorers with 27 points along with his 12 rebounds, Tai Wesley returned to the line-up to add 16 points, and Benny Anthony scored 15.

It was a gut-wrenching loss for coach Kirstin Daly-Taylor and the Hawks, who have now dropped to their sixth straight defeat since the NBL season tipped off, with five of them on the trot at the Pettigrew-Green Arena in Taradale before last night's first match on the road this season.

The Hawks shot 30 per cent from the field and the only offence they got last night was from forwards Arthur Trousdell (15 points) and American import Kareem Johnson (12 points).

The visitors will need to quickly regroup today when they play the table-topping Mike Pero Nelson Giants (5-2) in the double header.

-New import McKenzie Moore last night led the Canterbury Rams to a 91-78 win over the SIT Zerofees Sharks. Moore tallied 32 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and three steals for the Rams, who were able to win without their leading scorer and rebounder, Marcel Jones.

The visitors were trailling the Sharks by four heading into the final quarter but outscored them 32-15 to get their fourth win of the season.

All five starters scored in the double-digits and after struggling from the free throw line all season, last night they converted on 20-23.

It was also going to be a tough game for the Sharks, who lost their best player Jordair Jett for the season last week. Southland did add Townsville Crocodile Mitch Norton, who scored 12 off the bench.

At TSB Bank Arena, Wellington: Wellington Saints 106 (Torrey Craig 27, Tai Wesley 16, Benny Anthony Jr 15) Indigo Hawks 63 (Arthur Trousdell 15, Kareem Johnson 12).

At ILT Stadium, Invercargill: SIT Zerofees Sharks 78 (Nick Kay 26, Alex Pledger 17, Mitch Norton 12) Canterbury Rams 91 (McKenzie Moore 30, Ethan Rusbatch 16, Marques Whippy 14).