They dropped two points but gained two as well as Tees Valley Mohawks kept their play-off dream alive on a potential make or break weekend.
The Middlesbrough-based side slipped to a 91-72 defeat away to Derby Trailblazers but bounced back with a 96-89 win over NASSA Neptunes at Teesside University’s Olympia Building.
With eight matches of the regular season left they are 10th in the 14-team EBL National League Division One table, but its congested nature means they are still in the hunt for a play-off place.
At Derby they started brightly but a switch of defence by the hosts made it harder for them and they trailed 16-13 at the end of the quarter.
A poor second session by Steve Butler’s men allowed Derby to extend their lead to 42-29 at half-time although Bryan Hockaday kept the scoreboard ticking over at the other end.
Mohawks reduced the lead to 10 points in the third quarter but were kept at arm’s reach and, with coach Butler left unhappy at some of the refereeing decisions, the visitors left the Noel Baker School empty-handed.
“We allowed the referees to spoil our game,” said Butler. “It was frustrating to watch and work hard but to not get the calls.
“We felt we were hard done by but, like I said in the locker room to my players, as players we make mistakes and the referees made mistakes on this occasion but our body language allowed that to affect our performance.”
The following day they entertained a NASSA team who have found their form as they battle for top flight survival.
Wayne Yeboah and Nicholas Rhodes scored freely early on for the visitors who led 22-21 at the end of the first quarter.
A double dose of defeat would have plunged Mohawks right back into the relegation mire but they started the second period more effectively with Romonn Nelson, Charles Rhodes and Hockaday all making their mark.
They applied a little more intensity at the defensive end but although they built up a double digit lead, a sloppy end to the quarter allowed NASSA to pull it back to 47-47 at half-time.
After some choice words in the locker room from Butler, Mohawks started the third quarter with Lloyd Samuels hitting an ice base line jumper.
NASSA were only allowed two points in the first six minutes of the quarter as Mohawks hit 15 to take a grip on the game.
Mohawks led 74-60 going into the final quarter but allowed the visitors back into the game from the foul line. NASSA reduced the lead to five points but Mohawks kept it together for a much-needed victory.
“It was all about getting the win and we did,” said Butler.
“In the first half I was very disappointed in the team and told them what I thought at half-time.
“The second half was a lot better and I’m proud of the way the guys played in the final 20 minutes.
“It was a good team effort and the win was vital to keeping our play-off hopes alive.”
Mohawks now visit Worthing on Saturday, then take on NASSA in Newham on Sunday.
Mohawks II were beaten 87-71 away to City of Sheffield Saints despite a game high 19 points from Ryan McQueen.
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