The National Basketball League's (NBL) scoring leader Luther Muhammad has continued to do what he does best on Thursday night.
Muhammad put up a game-high 30 points as his Franklin Bulls surged clear of the Bay Hawks in the third quarter and held on for a 102-93 home win at Pukekohe's Franklin Pool and Leisure Centre.
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The American forward shot 13-of-19 from the field, including one triple, while adding three assists in just 26 minutes of court-time. He scored 11 of his 30 points in the third quarter as the Bulls built an 11-point lead.
Former NZ Breakers development player Isaac Davidson scored 16 points (6/11 FG, 2/3 3pt), along with five rebounds and three steals, while import guard Josh Scott also putting up 16 points (7/14 FG), nine assists and two steals.
Third import Lee Skinner contributed 14 points (7/12 FG), nine rebounds and three assists, and Christian Vano 11 points (4/9 FG) off the bench.
The Hawks' imports carried the offensive load, with Australian forward scored 25 points (10/17 FG, 4/7 3pt), Isaiah Moore 23 points (8/17 FG, 6/8 FT) and seven assists, and Keanu Rasmussen 23 points (8/16 FG, 5/9 3pt) and eight boards.
The Bulls trailed for only a total of 1:58, all early in the first period, but the game was closer than it appeared. The Hawks pulled within one with a 10-2 run late in the second period and were still only five points behind early in the third.
Franklin busted the game open with a 16-7 run in the middle stages of the third quarter, a lead which stretched to 14 after a three from Davidson on the opening possession of the fourth. The Hawks could only get within eight the rest of the way.
The Bulls (11-7) play a South Island double-header in Week 16, starting with the Canterbury Rams (16-2) on Thursday (tip-off 7.30pm), while the Hawks (6-12) return to the court on Saturday (tip-off 7.30pm) against the Manawatu Jets (1-16).
Franklin Bulls 102 (Luther Muhammad 30, Isaac Davidson 16, Josh Scott 16, Lee Skinner 14, Christian Vano 11) Bay Hawks 93 (Luke Sutherland 25, Isaiah Moore 23, Keanu Rasmussen 23, Josh Roberts 12). 1Q: 26-21, HT: 51-46, 3Q: 77-66