The Maitland Mustangs overcame a determined Newcastle with a 73-64 win to secure the first leg of their bid to regain the Kibble Mallon Cup.
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Top-flight performances by US import Tyler Monroe and Josh Clifford proved the difference in a tight game with only a point separating the two sides at the final break.
Monroe posted another double-double performance to finish with 33 points and an amazing 17 rebounds. Clifford scored 14 points and collected six rebounds as both teams struggled to land baskets.
The Mustangs shot at a dismal 39 per cent, landing just one of 12 three-point attempts.
However, their defence was again on song with Daniel Millburn collecting 11 rebounds and Jack Edwards seven. Millburn strayed into foul trouble again and he and Vili Foketi both fouled out.
Coach Luke Boyle had expected a strong response from the Hunters who are sitting near the bottom of the table with just two wins.
Jakob Dorricott with 17, Jacob Foy 15 and US import Dane Suttle 12 led the way on the boards for Newcastle.
But Maitland’s aggressive defence proved the difference with the Mustangs winning the rebound battle 55-35 and out hustling on the floor with 15 to 14 turn overs.
The hard-fought win lifts the Mustangs back to the top of the ladder with six wins from their seven games.
The Mustangs women split their results on the weekend beating St George Saints 67-51 but losing 55-64 to the Shoalhaven Tigers. The youth men had a 99-80 loss to Penrith.