MORPETH Mavericks got back on track after two defeats with a convincing 68-37 win over West Hill Wasps.

The Mavericks have suffered recently through a lack of available players, but were almost back to full strength for the TyneMet Basketball League Division Two game. And although they trailed in the first few minutes of Sunday’s game, the Mavericks were in control by the end of the first quarter, by which time they led 20-12, and never looked back.

The Mavericks were boosted by the return from injury of centre Kevin Smiles who, playing his first game for several months, quickly got back into the groove and weighed in with 12 points.

And while there was a pleasing spread of points throughout the team, it was from the perimeter that Morpeth did most of the damage.

They converted seven three-pointers, with top scorer Steve Potts (17 points) and Yildirim Bayazit sharing six.

Although West Hill kept in touch through the first three quarters, never allowing the hosts to get much further ahead than 10 points, the final quarter saw the Mavericks turn the screw, winning that period 21-7.

The result leaves the Mavericks 4 and 4 in the league with six games left to play and raised hopes that they can make a strong finish to the season.