The Hawks fell to 4-5 after Sunday's 99-86 loss to the Sydney Spirit - that record includes an 0-4 mark on the road.

Wollongong's losses have come at New Zealand, twice at Perth and at Sydney - all teams above .500 at home this season.

The Hawks still have to travel to Cairns (Saturday), Townsville (twice), to the South Dragons (December 6) and the Melbourne Tigers before New Year's Eve.

Wollongong coach Eric Cooks admitted his team was struggling away from the Sandpit this season.

"We need to be more disciplined, we're struggling on the road," Cooks said.

"It has been a hectic month for us, if we get through this month somewhere around the .500 mark we would be looking pretty good going into November."

Wollongong's cause on Sunday wasn't helped by some 50-50 calls that went Sydney's way.

At one point, reserve big man Larry Davidson shed blood after some rough-and-tumble under the basket, but didn't get a call from the referees.

That sequence was symptomatic of the Hawks' plight against Sydney.

"It's disappointing we got called for some ticky-tac fouls and they drew blood and we got nothing," Cooks said.

"Fifty-fifty is a good way to describe it, there were some calls there that could have gone either way.

"It's disappointing, we have to be mentally strong."

The Hawks didn't help their own cause by shooting a miserable 19-36 from the foul line.

The Hawks are back at home tonight against fourth-placed Cairns Taipans. Tip-off is at 7.30pm.