Basketball: Hawks open with workmanlike victory over Nuggets

The Hawks produced a workmanlike first-up effort to beat the Otago Nuggets 81-67 in their National Basketball League (NBL) opener at Taradale, Napier.

With new import, American Dusty Rykart, leading the way, the Hawks were never headed as they easily dispatched their southern rivals.

If the margin of the victory impressed Hawks coach Shawn Dennis, it's mode often didn't, as his team showed plenty of early season rustiness.

With Rykart, Australians Adrian Majstrovich and Derek Moore and New Zealand Breaker Paul Henare only joining the squad five days ago, Dennis said it would be a few weeks before the unit gelled.

Nevertheless, Rykart looked a quality addition to the team's roster, scoring a game high 19 points and pulling down five rebounds, followed by Majstrovich with 15 points and eight rebounds and Moore with 13 points and six rebounds.

Having led 21-14 after the first quarter, the Hawks were always in control, although they were oustcored 17-13 in the third quarter as their outside shots failed to fall.

They rebounded quickly in the last quarter though, outscoring the Nuggets 23-15 to cement their victory.

For otago, centre Russell Hinder had 18 points and 10 rebounds, while forward Sam Walker made 17 points.

Hawks 81 (D Rykart 19, A Majstrovich 15, D Moore 13, P Winitana 13) Otago 67 (R Hinder 18, S Walker 17, S McGregor 13), Halftime: 45-35.

- NZPA