Trailing at the end of every quarter, the Hawks often appeared to be going through the motions and stumbled to an 82-66 loss.

The defeat means the Hawks failed to win a single regular season series against their seven NBL rivals for the first time in the modern era.

Wollongong’s record stands at 6-21 heading into Sunday’s final game of the season against Adelaide at WIN Entertainment Centre.

Hawks centre Larry Davidson missed the game with a knee injury, while forward Tim Coenraad rolled his ankle in the fourth period and sat out the final eight minutes.

Imports Gary Ervin (19 points) and Jahii Carson (15) top-scored for Wollongong. Todd Blanchfield (16) and Brian Conklin (15) led the Crocodiles.

The visitors made just 35 per cent of their shots, including a woeful 6/27 from three-point range. They also missed 10 of 24 free throw attempts and lost the rebound battle 46-32.

Guard Rhys Martin scored the game’s first basket, but the Hawks struggled to get into an offensive groove throughout the first quarter.

The Crocodiles were getting free for open shots, scoring inside and outside as they cruised to a 16-5 lead.

Carson went to the free throw line after an unsportsmanlike foul, but he was called for his own unsportsmanlike foul moments later after tangling with Crocs guard Steve Markovic.

Wollongong chipped the margin down to three before Mitch Norton’s two free throws gave Townsville a 20-15 quarter-time lead.

Martin and Coenraad had four points apiece, while Conklin was up to six for the Crocs.

The Hawks made 40 per cent of their shots and had five turnovers.

Townsville maintained the upper hand for most of the second period, but the slow pace of the game suited Wollongong more than the Crocs.

Facing another double-digit deficit, the Hawks patiently trimmed it to three at half-time.

Carson led his side with eight points, while Martin and Coenraad combined for 13.

Both teams were plagued by wayward shooting, as the Hawks made 36 per cent to Townsville’s 36 per cent.

Norton knocked down back to back three-pointers and Blanchfield followed with a three of his own, ruining any hopes the Hawks had for a good start to the second half.

Coenraad’s three broke the drought, but the home team gradually pushed the lead up to 13 points with four minutes left in the third quarter.

Ervin’s three triggered an 8-0 run for the Hawks before veteran Crocs forward Jacob Holmes hit a three to make it 55-47 at three-quarter time.

The margin swelled to 14 and Wollongong’s problems were compounded by an ankle injury to Coenraad two minutes into the final period.

Coenraad limped to the bench and is no certainty to be available for Sunday’s home game against Adelaide.