NBL Division Two Ipswich 94 London Westside 80 Jonny Hall erupted for 24 second-half points and powered Ipswich to their third home victory of the season as the Suffolk side saw off London Westside.

East Anglian Daily Times: Cameron Hawes brings the ball up court for Ipswich in their win over London Westside. Picture: PAVEL KRICKACameron Hawes brings the ball up court for Ipswich in their win over London Westside. Picture: PAVEL KRICKA (Image: Pavel.Kricka@btinternet.com)

Head coach John Ellis’ side shrugged off an inconsistent first half to control the second half of the contest.

Coming off a tough overtime defeat at Essex Leopards last weekend, Ipswich made the brighter start, with 12 points from guard Cameron Hawes helping the hosts leap out to an early 23-8 lead before Westside pegged the gap back to 11 by the end of the first quarter.

A blistering stretch of shooting in the second quarter from visiting guards Hans Manku and Levi Edwards propelled Westside on a huge run, and pushed them ahead by 10 within five minutes.

Rabi Rai then led Ipswich’s counter-attack with three three-pointers in the quarter.

Colin Dockrell and Ben Winter added important baskets to help the hosts reach half-time back on top, with a four-point lead.

Hall was coming off a quiet first half, but demonstrated some of the form he has been showing for Ipswich Basketball Academy in the EABL this season during a second half where he dominated Westside’s frontcourt.

Theo Deleligne scored 11 of his 16 points in the second half but none of his Westside team-mates added more than six after the break, and it was Ipswich’s improved defence which built the platform for the victory.

The win snapped a two-game losing streak for Ellis’ side, who climb to sixth place in NBL Division II.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich's Rabi Rai drives at the Westside defence. Picture: PAVEL KRICKAIpswich's Rabi Rai drives at the Westside defence. Picture: PAVEL KRICKA (Image: Pavel.Kricka@btinternet.com)

“After the overtime defeat last week, where we played incredibly in the second half against all the odds to erase a 20-point deficit, it was extremely important that we kept our momentum today,” said Ellis.

“Our fantastic crowd got right behind us and watching Jonny dominate like that always gets them in the game.

“We’re showing we have a number of match-winning performers in our squad and that is a good place to be.”

Hall finished with 29 points and 16 rebounds; Rai added 19 and Hawes 17 for Ipswich. Manku scored 21 for Westside.