Kevin Lisch put in one of the finest displays of the NBL season to carry the Illawarra Hawks to a dramatic 103-96 double overtime victory over New Zealand Breakers on Sunday.
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The American guard was unstoppable as he poured in career-best 40 points, including 19 in overtime, to lift Illawarra to one of their best road victories in recent memory.
The match looked all-but gone for the Hawks deep in normal time, with star Kiwi Kirk Penney forced off the court with a hamstring injury.
But just when it seemed the Breakers would take home the points, Cody Ellis sunk a massive three with two seconds remaining to send the match into another period.
From there Lisch took control to help Illawarra sweep the Breakers this season and move second in the NBL at 14-8.
Ellis was also impressive in his best game as a Hawk, scoring 18 points.
AJ Ogilvy added 15 points and 12 rebounds while Corey Webster led the Breakers with 22.
New Zealand led at every change bar the finish after shooting out to a 32-24 advantage at the first break before holding a 53-48 lead at the main break.
They couldn’t capitilise on a wasteful start to the second half from the Hawks and it proved costly when Ogilvy hit a baby hook with 3.39 remaining in the quarter to move Illawarra 60-59 up.
Back-to-back Thomas Abercrombie threes swayed the seesawing ledger back in New Zealand’s favour.
They’d hold a 71-65 lead at the start fourth before Reuben Te Rangi’s three had them up by 11 points with 5.41 remaining.
Illawarra returned serve through Rhys Martin and then Lisch to set up an exciting final few minutes.
New Zealand looked poised to steal the match until Ellis stepped up to lock scores at 80-80 right at the buzzer.
When overtime started, Lisch took control, scoring all nine points for the Hawks.
Webster missed a second game-winner at the buzzer which proved costly when Lisch put the match to bed in the dying stages.
The result drops the defending champions outside the top-four.