New Zealand must be wondering when Kirk Penney wants to come home after the Kiwi star put on another masterclass against his former club in the Illawarra Hawks 87-69 over the Breakers on Thursday night.
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Penney was on fire again as he poured in a game-high 28 points in front of season-best 3308 fans at WIN Entertainment Centre.
He averages more than 30 points across all three of the Hawks’ victories this season against the Breakers, but was far from a one-man show in round 15.
Kevin Lisch shook off a slow start to finish with 16-points, 8 rebounds and four steals and Rhys Martin chipped in with 13 off the bench.
Corey Webster provided a rare bright spot for New Zealand as he scored 23.
His efforts did little to slow the rampaging Hawks.
The victory sees them jump the Perth Wildcats on the ladder on percentages into second spot.
It didn’t seem like it would become a blowout in the opening exchanges as the visitors attempted to slow the all-action Hawks throughout the first quarter.
Neither side could get going from the field in a turnover-prone start at both ends of the floor.
Only Penney had his radar on early, pouring in seven points to lead all scorers.
His efforts helped Illawarra to a 21-20 advantage at the first change.
New Zealand squared the ledger shortly into the second but that was as close as they came.
The Hawks broke the shackles early and went nine points clear when three-point sharpshooter Oscar Forman hit his first from range.
A short burst of five straight points from Thomas Abercrombie provided a brief fightback but didn't slow the hosts.
They finished the quarter on a stunning 18-3 run to put themselves well clear.
It really got going when Lisch put to bed his 0-6 start from the field with a driving lay-up.
He didn't have to wait as long for his second as he snuck through the back door to give Illawarra a 43-26 lead.
They went into the main break 47-29 to the good.
Penney, who added 11 in third, ensured the buffer remained the same after the break with a pair of threes.
When he nailed his third Illawarra led by an astounding 29 points at 62-33 with more than half the period remaining.
The Breakers went on a 10-2 run after the basket thanks to six points from Webster, who continued to toil hard throughout.
Six points late in the quarter from Martin steadied the ship and saw Illawarra hold a 72-48 buffer at the final change.
Despite scoring just two points in the opening four and a half minutes of the fourth, the Hawks never looked giving up their big advantage.
They were outscored 21-15 in the fourth but still prevailed.
The two teams meet again on Sunday.
