The Townsville Crocodiles continued their climb up the NBL ladder with a hard-fought 125-104 win over the Hunter Pirates at the Swamp.

The Crocs were always in control after breaking away by as many as 21 points in the opening quarter, apart from a brief Pirates charge in the third term.

Hunter import Brian Wethers had a game-high 35 points while Townsville sharpshooter John Rillie top scored for the home team with 29.

For the second week in a row the Crocs came out firing from the three-point line, building a 13-1 lead within two minutes and shooting a 72 per cent clip from the field.

They led 42-22 at the first break.

The second term belonged to Rillie, who at one stage rifled three triples in as many minutes, for a personal tally of 21 at halftime.

Wethers continued his phenomenal form for the Pirates, dominating the third term with 16 points, as Hunter pulled as close as seven points.

Crocodiles coach Ian Stacker credited his team's defence with kick-starting the first quarter scoring spree.

"I think we generated a lot of deflections in that first quarter and we didn't give them any easy shots," Stacker said.

"When we get it all together we look as good as any team in the competition."

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