Thursday, March 15, 2012

On-target Kings shoot down Hawks

Updated March 09, 2012 22:34:29

An amazing shooting display by the Sydney Kings has secured a 92-81 win over arch-rival Wollongong on Friday night.

Sydney shot at 52 per cent from the field and 71 per cent from beyond the arc in its most impressive display of the season to seal the comfortable victory in Wollongong.

The visiting Kings built a handy double-digit lead in the first half before absorbing the Hawks' own long-range shooting barrage which featured seven three-pointers for the half.

The Kings were led by Jerai Grant (20 points, eight rebounds), Anatoly Bose (19 points, six rebounds) and Ben Madgen (17 points), while former Hawk Luke Martin (six assists) iced the game with nine of his 17 points in the fourth quarter.

Hawks centre Larry Davidson made the most of Kings star Julian Khazzouh's absence, pouring in a team-high 24 points with seven boards, but his team lacked considerable punch at the defensive end.

After two quick fouls to Graeme Dann the injection of Alex Gynes sparked the Kings to an 11-4 start.

Gynes paced Sydney with six points in seven minutes, while Martin capped the quarter with a triple to push the Kings ahead 23-12.

Wollongong rallied behind Davidson, who found a pair of buckets inside before stepping behind the arc and swishing a triple.

The Hawks pulled within five points at 25-20, but were suddenly hit with six unanswered points from the visitors, highlighted by Grant storming down the lane for a thunderous dunk in traffic.

Grant led a devastating defensive stand and Luke Cooper knocked down a pair of threes as Sydney surged ahead 46-29 at half-time.

Wollongong clawed back in the third term through the long-ball, connecting on five three-pointers to pull to within three points at 52-49.

Madgen kept Sydney afloat with a three in reply, before Bose drained a pair of triples to steady the ship at 61-53.

Luke Martin once again had the last say of the period with another top-of-the-key triple to make it 64-57 heading into the fourth.

Martin was hot down the stretch, exploding for seven straight points including a three-point dagger that sealed the result.

AAP

Tags: nbl, basketball, sport

First posted March 09, 2012 22:34:29


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