The Wollongong Hawks came back from the dead to beat the Cairns Taipans 73-59 last night at the WIN Entertainment Centre.
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Wollongong dug themselves a 16-point hole midway through the third quarter before guard Adris Deleon and captain Oscar Forman sparked a dramatic revival.
Deleon poured in 19 points in the second half to finish with a game-high 23, while Foreman hit 5-8 three-pointers for 15 points.
The Hawks dominated the Taipans with a 23-9 final period, boosting their record to 6-1 to remain in second place on the NBL ladder.
After taking a 17-12 lead into the second quarter, the Hawks allowed the Taipans to forge ahead 33-29 at half time.
Forman was up to six points at the main break, while the Taipans had three players with six.
The Taipans outscored the home team 14-2 in the opening minutes of the third quarter to stretch the margin to 16. But the Hawks stormed back with a stirring run and trailed 52-49 with a quarter to play.
Deleon was unstoppable in crunch time as the Hawks completed a stunning 30-point turnaround. Wollongong head to Melbourne next weekend for a clash with the improving Tigers.
