The Waikato Pistons have gone top of the National Basketball League table for the first time this season after a 94-75 road win over Hawke's Bay at Taradale.
The Hawks trailed by as much as 13 points in the second half before the home side clawed back into the game, going on an 11-2 run to begin the fourth period down only 68-66.
But a Hayden Allen three-pointer sparked a Pistons run that lead to 13 unanswered points and a lead of 15 with four minutes left in the contest, the Hawks nevering recovering and losing the head to head advantage over the Pistons for failing to get the loss to under 12 points.
Jason Crowe, who has been taking a back seat in the scoring department of late, led the Pistons team with 25 points, also dishing 10 assists while Breakers and Tall Blacks star Thomas Abercrombie also picked up 25, as all five Pistons starters made double figures.
