Basketball: Another win for the Nelson Giants in NZ NBL

Nelson's Finn Delany playing against the Bay Hawks. Photo / Photosport

The Nelson Giants have moved to the top of the table with a 91-80 win over the Bay Hawks.

Nelson's American duo of Raymond Cowells and Ben Strong have combined for 46 points, leading their side to a third road win out of four.

The scary thing for the rest of the league is that the Giants are yet to be with their point guard Jarrod Kenny.

It was all Nelson in the first half, leading 54-32, Phill Jones and Cowells each had 14, and as a team they shot 7/11 three pointers and 13/14 free throws.

After the break, the visitors extended their lead to as many 27, the Hawks, much like last week, closed the gap to as many as nine in the closing part of the fourth quarter.

The Hawks were without starters, Darryl Jones and Alonzo Burton, but got more production this week from centre Kareem Johnson (16 points, 8/10 FG).

In his first start, Arthur Trousdell had 15, Matt Te Huna and Luke Aston each adding 12.

The one silver lining for the Hawks was the play of young player William Stinnett, who scored 12 off the bench.

Head coach Tim Fanning will be extremely pleased with his sides balanced performance, four of his five starters scoring over 15 points.

Nelson will have another road double this coming Easter when they play the Taranaki Mountainairs (March 28), and the Wellington Saints the following day.

The Hawks play at home next week to the Sharks and Rams.