BASKETBALL
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Wollongong defensive linchpin Larry Davidson is confident the Hawks can learn from mistakes made in their buzzer-beating loss to Cairns before two crucial matches this week.
The Hawks blew a 16-point lead over the Taipans last Sunday and were left to rue poor execution throughout the second half in a 79-77 loss.
‘‘You can definitely look at the first half and see things that we did well to get the lead and conversely you can look at the second half and see the areas that we need work on,’’ Davidson said.
‘‘Whether it was a case of us dropping our guard a bit or or not having that energy that we came out with in the first half. It is definitely something we can learn from.
‘‘Taking from that showing, if we come out and play the way we want to play, we can come out and have success doing that. But it is just a case of doing it for the whole 40 minutes and not letting up.’’
That consistency will be tested when the Hawks take on the New Zealand Breakers tomorrow.
The three-time defending champions have experienced an underwhelming season by their high standards, but Davidson believes it provides no cause for Wollongong to switch off.
‘‘They have beaten us both times we have played them,’’ Davidson said.
‘‘They have got a lot of talent in their team and a lot of experience from guys who have won three championships in a row.
‘‘We are not in a situation where we can take anyone lightly. Every game we have to come in with the mindset that it is going to take four quarters of us playing as hard as we can to win the game and hopefully that is what we can do.’’
Davidson maintained if the Hawks were to earn a valuable road win, dominance on the glass would play a crucial role.
‘‘When we have rebounded we have had pretty good success and when we haven’t rebounded it has hurt us.’’
He said it would be crucial with the Breakers.
‘‘I am not saying that is the only thing but probably the biggest thing we have to look at especially on the road.