The Maitland Mustangs reasserted their claim for a finals spot with an 84-78 win against the Sutherland Sharks.
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The Mustangs sit just outside the top six with a week off before a double header weekend starting with a clash against arch rivals the Newcastle Hunters on Saturday, June 4.
Maitland hosts the Hunters with the annual Kibble-Mallon Cup at stake.
They will back up on Sunday with an away game against the Central Coast Crusaders on the Sunday.
Maitland’s win against the Sharks was built on a strong defensive effort and even team performance.
The Mustangs won the offensive rebound count 11-9 and were on top in the defensive count 30-26.
Coach Terrence Rone had highlighted his team’s loss in the key defensive statistics as a major issue in their losses early in the season.
Mitch Rueter lead the point-scoring with 23, Terrell Turner landed 20 Jack Ewards 15 and Sam Huggins and Vili Foketi both posted 10.
Rueter also led the way in rebounds with nine (two offensive and seven defensive) followed by Huggins with seven (two and five).
The Mustangs Division 1 women’s team suffered their fist loss of the season going down to the Newcastle Hunters 58-28.
Amanda Bendeich was top scorer for the Mustangs with seven points.
Their next game is at home on June 4 against the Coffs Harbour Suns.
The Mustangs men’s youth team lost 62-76 to the Sutherland Sharks at the Federation Centre on Saturday.
