The Maitland Mustangs host Norths Bears on Saturday night primed to end a five-game losing streak.
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The Mustangs have slipped to fifth on the Waratah Champions League ladder and can start their climb back up the ranks with a win at the Maitland Federation Centre against the fourth-placed Bears.
The bye for the Queen’s Birthday long-weekend gave the squad time to reassess their scratchy form, which appeared to be on the turn against the Sydney Comets in their last game.
Maitland lost at home 99-87 to the competition leader, but importantly had their best four-quarter performance in several weeks.
They have come frustratingly close in all their losses, paying the price for lapses in a quarter of each match.
Maitland coach Luke Boyle said the team had the game to match the best in the league, but had allowed zone defensive responses to their attacking style impact on their high-paced game in defence as well as offence.