In his first game of the 2012 National Basketball League, Everard Bartlett brought Hawkes Bay home with a 94-88 overtime win over the Nelson Giants.
Bartlett scored twelve points in the extra period, after being held to nine during regulation.
The Hawks got off to a quick start in the overtime, thanks to Bartlett who hit two straight three pointers to give the home side a five-point buffer.
Bartlett would convert another three to push the Hawks' lead to eight with two minutes left, which would be enough to seal their fifth straight win.
It was a gutsy effort from the Giants, led by Phill Jones with a season-high 39 points.
