The bulk of the second quarter played out without a 24 second shot limit after the shot clock froze with more than eight minutes to play.

WEC staff were unable to restart it after a near 10-minute delay, with lead referee Vaughan Mayberry consulting with coaches Rob Beveridge and Joey Wright before playing out the remainder of the term with no limit on offensive possessions.

The clock was fixed at halftime, but Beveridge voiced his displeasure at the stoppage that came with his side leading 34-25.

The NBL was also non-plussed in a statement released on Friday that backed the referees handling of the incident and made it’s displeasure known to WEC management.

“An equipment malfunction led to the breakdown of the shot clock during the second quarter of [Thursday’s] game between the Illawarra Hawks and Adelaide 36ers at the WIN Entertainment Centre,” the statement read.

“After consulting both clubs, it was agreed to play out the remainder of the quarter without the shot clock rather than hold up the game. The shot clock was fixed at half time and the rest of the game was played without incident.

“The NBL is disappointed with what occurred and is working with the WIN Entertainment Centre management to ensure the problem is fixed before Illawarra’s next home game against New Zealand next Friday.”