"We played our hearts out today and the only difference was probably the outcome," said US-based import Joshua Fox.
"We put up a fight and kept on fighting tonight so we have a few happy things to take from this game although we're disappointed in the outcome and our season," said the Fiji-born swingman of the Hawks who came into the season as last winter's winless franchise and find themselves rooted at the bottom now with three wins from 15 games.
Fox said it was nice to give loyal fans something back tonight but it was disheartening that it took them so long to do to put on such a good show for them.
"We could have all the excuses on earth but it was kind of tough for us with switching coaches and all the drama that was going on so I don't have any good answers for you [on why it took so long for that fire to burn with intensity]," he said.
Former Tall Fern Kirstin Daly-Taylor, who was among spectators tonight for the first time, stepped down midway through the season and Hill took over as caretaker.
Fox said the Hawks had their share of lapses but instead of beating themselves up they kept rallying together and, it seemed, the 40 per cent-full crowd appreciated that.
The man, who traditionally signs off with "Love you, mum", said he would love to return to the Hawke's Bay franchise next season if they wanted him back.
"I have to go handle my citizenship at home and my partner as well on coming back because Hawke's Bay and the organisation has treated me well," said Fox, believing he wanted to be part of team that would turn the corner one more time next year.
The Hawks won the first quarter 29-28 on the platform of some much-needed urgency.
It was the undefeated Saints who were making all the chatter and taunts. Forward BJ Anthony stood up from the bench and gave Hawks co-skipper Everard Bartlett a serving midway through the spell.
Shooting guard Bartlett, returning from an injured back after missing the loss to James Blond Supercity Rangers on the road, just gave him a withering look before carrying on.
The hosts maintained a marginal lead throughout the second half until a rash of unforced errors in some razzle-dazzle play gave the Saints a sniff with three minutes left on the clock.
The Kevin Braswell-coached defending champions snuck ahead 48-43, prompting the fans into a chorus of chants.
With 1:32 left on the clock, co-skipper Jarrod Kenny dropped three from the top of the D for the Hawks to trail 49-50 but that just brought out the ire in Braswell and his bench, howling and questioning referees Dallas Pickering, Gavin Zimmerman, Jason McCabe on whether that passage of play didn't break a few rules.
It was nail-biting stuff and the fans started raining boos on refs after they pinged US import centre Amir Williams for what appeared to be a clean block on stocky forward Damien Ekenasio who Braswell had just rolled on.
But the loudest cheers were reserved for the Benny Hill-coached Hawks when they went into the locker rooms 54-53 (25-25) up.
Bartlett didn't show any side effects of a back problem as he spearheaded the attack with fellow leader Kenny on 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Tony Tolovae contributed nine but also tried to keep Saints captain Corey Webster on the leash to 12 points.
Williams led in the rebound department with eight and did a sterling job marking Tai Wesley who spearheaded the visitors' attack with 15 points. Only Fox backed up the Hawks centre on the board with three collects.
Swingman Anamata Haku showed a lot of spirit and aggression but was in early foul trouble.
The third quarter opened with equal gusto.
The whistle blowers pinged Saints big men Leon Henry and import Josh Duinker but that only stung the NBL leaders into a feeding frenzy.
With a minute to go the Saints' class was coming through as Anthony redefined physicality when he lashed out at Williams after the American took exception to the Saints power forward's foul on Tolovae.
Wellington led 75-71 (22-17) in the third spell.
The final quarter came to a halt for a few minutes after three spots of blood from Wesley's nose fell on the court following an errant elbow from Fox.
With Wellington leading 84-76 and the court staff out looking for something to wipe the floor with, the visitors simply used their towel to wipe up the claret and Wesley stuck cotton wool up his nose to carry on.
The Saints had the last word, winning the final spell 23-19.
Tolovae top scored with 19 points while Kenny and Bartlett added 18 and 17, respectively. The latter pair also made four assists each.
Williams added one more double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds. Haku, like Williams, stayed on the court on four fouls to score 12 points.
For the victors, Wesley posted a game-high 27 points and 11 rebounds.
Webster scored 26 points, import Duinker added 15 and so did Shea Ili.
"They [Hawks] played hard but I don't think we played to our standards," said the lethal point guard.
"I think we need to start focusing on our game rather than looking at the Final Four."
Webster said it wasn't a problem as such but more a case of holding each other accountable.
"We know every team in this league are going to give us their best shot so we need to be ready for that although it's a good preparation for the finals."
Webster said the Saints didn't shoot sharply enough and didn't lock up tidy either at the other end of the court.
"We brought in a little bit more intensity in the second half but we need to be more locked in from the beginning of the game."
