A new year it may be, but Tees Valley Mohawks’ first match of 2015 had a familiar feel to it.
Narrow defeats were an almost weekly occurence for the the Middlesbrough-based side before Christmas and it was the same old story when Kent Crusaders left Teesside University’s Olympia Building with a 79-71 victory under their belts.
The defeat was Mohawks’ eighth in 10 EBL National League Division One matches this season and dropped them to just one place off the foot of the table.
Steve Butler’s side - who had performed promisingly in a friendly against BBL big guns Durham Wildcats the previous week - started the game slowly.
The visitors found it all too easy to score as Mohawks struggled and trailed 27-17 after the opening quarter.
In the second period Mohawks’ defence stepped up a gear and prevented Kent from scoring as prolifically.
But the hosts also found it difficult to score and by half-time they were just one point closer to their opponents at 40-31.
During the break Butler impressed upon his side the need to start the second half strongly and execute better offensively.
But it was Kent who stepped up a gear, producing some big shots and scoring freely from inside as Mohawks went into the final quarter staring at a big 17-point gap.
They did however show considerable improvement in the final session.
In a much-improved quarter Mohawks produced their best basketball of the game as Romonn Nelson scored 10 quick points while Bryan Hockaday dominated the boards, denying Kent any second chance points.
Their inspired fightback put them right back in it and with two minutes remaining the deficit had been slashed to just four points.
But three turnovers cost the Mohawks dearly as Kent took seconds off the clock and scored their free throws to win by eight points.
“What is frustrating is that we got ourselves into a position to win the game,” reflected Butler.
“But then costly turnovers cost us - we have been doing it all season and it’s a team thing, not just individuals.
“We were terrible in the third quarter then awesome in the fourth quarter.
“But you can’t play for only 30 minutes in this league and win.”
Having clung to the hope of sneaking into the play-off picture for so long, Mohawks’ aim now must be to simply climb away from the danger zone and preserve their top flight status.
They have an opportunity to begin their battle for safety at the Olympia on Sunday when fellow strugglers Westminster Warriors are the visitors.
And with Hemel Storm, the only team currently below them in the table, their opponents after that on February 7, it’s the start of a crucial period that could make or break their survival bid.
“The game this weekend against Westminster is even more important now if we are to get out of trouble in the lower half of the league,” said Butler.
Meanwhile Mohawks II also made a losing start to 2015, going down 85-62 at home to Nottingham Hoods in Division Three (North).
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