A fourth quarter capitulation cost the Illawarra Hawks the chance to edge closer to a home finals spot as they crumbled to a 104-90 defeat to the Adelaide 36ers on Saturday night.
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Despite 36ers star Jerome Randle leaving the match with a knee injury minutes into the second half, the Hawks weren't able to capitalise in front of a full house in Adelaide.
Import Ebi Ere inspired a stunning 20-2 run to start the fourth quarter to guide the hosts to the win.
Ere was deadly at crunch time as he dropped 11 of his game-high 28 points in the final period.
He was well supported by Daniel Johnson, who added 19 points and 11 rebounds and Mitch Creek's 15 points off the bench.
Kevin Lisch led the Hawks with 24 points and Tim Coenraad had 17.
They helped Illawarra to burst out to an early 13-7 advantage but the hosts fought back and took the lead late in the quarter when Randle hit a mid-range jumper.
Lucas Walker's driving lay-up at the end of the first quarter saw the 36ers build a 26-22 buffer at the break.
Ere found his shooting range early in the second, hitting two from downtown to help stretch Adelaide's lead to double digits.
The Hawks closed the gap to 44-40 when Lisch was given too much space behind the arc.
They went into the half level at 54-54 after Coenraad and Ere both hit big threes in the final minute.
Adelaide started the third the better but the match took a dramatic twist two minutes into the period.
Randle looked to take advantage of a 36ers steal when he raced down court but was stopped by AJ Ogilvy.
His left leg buckled in the contest, forcing an emotional Randle to be carried from the court with just four points.
Adelaide continued to toil in his absence, trading baskets with the Hawks in free-flowing quarter.
It was 75-74 to Illawarra at the final change, but the 36ers started the fourth on fire.
They continued to make shot after shot off Illawarra turnovers or poor offensive possessions.
Ere was the chief destroyer and had the game beyond the visitors reach before they could blink.
Adelaide went on to prevail by 14.
They now hold a 14-10 record and are within a game of the Hawks (15-10).
Illawarra are now a game behind Perth and two back from league-leaders Melbourne United.
