Import Mike Helms exploded with a team-high 30 points as the Hunter Pirates snapped a five-game losing streak with a 109-104 NBL win over the Townsville Crocodiles.

Helms had just six points at half-time, but came to life after the break as the Pirates came back from as many as 10 down to sink the visitors.

His haul included three-from-five from three-point territory before fouling out with 4:16 remaining.

With Helms out co-captains Brad Davidson (22 points and five assists) and centre Ben Melmeth (22 points and nine rebounds) took over down the stretch.

The win was the Pirates' first since a 105-82 triumph over New Zealand In Auckland on New Years Eve.

With uncertainty over the club's future lingering the players took things into their own hands.

The pride and passion that had been missing in recent weeks returned.

They out-hustled and enthused the Crocs, who slumped to a third straight defeat.

The Pirates complete the regular season away to Perth Wildcats on Sunday.

Regardless of the result they will finish eighth and take on either Cairns or Brisbane in a sudden-death final next Wednesday.

Crocs swingman Brad Newley, who had scouts from the Los Angles Lakers watch his past two games, tried to spark the visitors with a season-high 34 points.

Import Larry Abney (17 points) was strong, while Damon Lowery (16 points) had his most productive game of the season.

The Crocs led 29-22 at quarter-time and 54-50 at the long break, but a desperate home side came home the stronger to outscore the visitors 59-50 in the second half.

The loss dropped the Crocs to 10th place at 9-22.

The win ensured the Pirates completed the home season in style, much to the relief of Davidson.

"It's nice to win the last game at home," he said.

"We have been disgraceful the lost couple of weeks and it has hurt.

"It felt like we hustled hard all game, which is what we pride our selves on."

Crocs coach Ian Stacker was happy with the effort, but admitted the end of the season could not come quick enough.

"Everyone who played put it in," he said.

"Confidence is the thing with us at the moment.

"There were times when guys who are capable of making shots were passing.

"It has been the same story all year. When we have been in a situation to win, we have not been able to get over the hump."

Stacker believed the turning point was the Crocs' inability to stop Helms in the third quarter.

"Helms got some momentum going and we were a bit slow to sense he was getting on a run," he lamented.

"It is difficult to guard someone who is talented when they are on run. We needed to put pressure on him before he got the ball."

The Pirates' already depleted stocks were further hit when shooting guard Aaron Trahair succumbed to a foot injury.

Trahair, who averages 14 points per game and is the Pirates' best from long range, hopes to be right for the play-offs.

The Crocs were also understrength after import Casey Calvary injured his hand in the 33-point loss to Perth in Darwin on Saturday night.

With the play-offs out of the equation, Stacker again used the match to blood youngsters Greg Vanderjagt and Michael Cedar.

And it was king of the kids Brad Newley who led from the front scoring the Crocs' final 10 points of the quarter as the visitors opened a 29-22 lead.

Tempers flared early in the second period and referee Scot Becker had to jump in between Pirates co-captain Ben Melmeth and Crocs' import Larry Abney.

The basketball also got ugly as both sides went at it hard.

The Pirates handled the rough stuff better and went on a 9-0 run to hit the lead at 40-39, only for the Crocs to rally late for 54-50 lead at the long break.

After being restricted to six points at half-time, Helms went to work in the third quarter and drained 17 points including three bombs as the Pirates edged ahead 84-82 at the final break.

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