The Hunter Pirates continued the West Sydney Razorbacks' horror NBL run on Wednesday, winning 96-85 at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.

The Pirates used a decisive 11-1 run early in the final quarter to pull away.

The loss stretched the Sydneysiders' franchise record losing streak to 12, leaving them last on the NBL ladder with a 4-20 record.

Hunter continued to overcome the absence of all star guard Mike Helms, the moving them to 11-13 and seventh place ahead of Brisbane (eighth) 10-12.

Rejuvenated centre Geordie Cullen dominated inside for the Pirates with 27 point and 12 rebounds.

Former Razorback Aaron Trahair once again troubled his former team with 24 points including five three-pointers.

Ben Melmeth chipped in with 17 points and 10 boards.

The Pigs' offence was held to just 39 per cent shooting, Rhys Carter and Pero Vasiljevic top scoring with 14 apiece.

The Razorbacks put together a 10-0 run late in the first quarter holding, the Pirates second unit scoreless for more than three minutes.

Trahair kept the score close and it was one of his first quarter threes at the buzzer that made it 28-23 at the first break.

The Pirates trailed by as much as 13 in what would become a tense second quarter.

The homeside clawed back, finally drawing ahead 55-51 at the half, after holding the visitors to just eight of 21 shooting in the period.

In the third, the visitors once again were able to score on the Pirates reserves going on an 8-0 run, that was capped with a Vasiljevic slam.

The homeside steadied to lead 78-72 at the final break, Cullen and Trahair once again leading the way.

The Pirates then began their match-winning burst to begin the fourth.

"That was a very ugly, tight win," coach Adrian Hurley said.

"We didn't play well, they didn't let us.

"It's a good result for our guys, it shows we can tough it out."

Former Pig Russell Hinder reiterated his coach's comments.

"We ground it out and you're never going to get a pretty win against a team like that. They want to make it ugly."

He added: "But hey, we got the win and we're starting to learn how to win."

Razorbacks coach Mark Watkins praised the Pirates.

"Hunter are a good team. They've got some experience in there mixed with some youth and tonight's win will go close to securing that play-off position."

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