The Hawks had no answer for Cats star Bryce Cotton who had 23 of his 28 points in the first half, that number also the margin by which the hosts led at halftime.

Cotton, who also had seven assists, sat the entire fourth quarter alongside fellow import Terrico White who finished with 17 points, nine coming in the third term as the Cats twisted the knife.

After copping his share of criticism following his debut for his new club Dario Hunt also sprang to life, grabbing eight of his 16 points in the second term.

In his 100^th NBL game, more than two decades after his debut, Dave Andersen was the lone resistance with nine his 14 points coming in the opening quarter.

LaMelo Ball had 15 points and seven assists in another solid outing, though it came at a tardy 4-15 from the field.

The Hawks woes from long-range continued, shooting 5-24 from long range a week after going 4-21 from three-point range against Brisbane last week.

Josh Boone finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds in a double-double but the Hawks were never in a match that saw them give up 19 offensive rebounds and 19 turnovers.

It will see them return to Wollongong on Monday staring down the barrel of an 0-3 start when they host Cairns at the Sandpit.

Andersen made his presence felt with four quick points and a three from the bench in the opening quarter but it belonged to Cotton who had a pair of triples and four more from the line to finish with 10 for the quarter.

It saw the hosts lead by six at quarter-time and Cotton kept things going in second quarter with three from the line. He finished the half with 23 points after dropping another pair of threes and a couple more from the line.

Hunt got going heading into the main break, with eight points for the term as the Cats led 55-42 at halftime.

Nick Kay had four points early but it was White who took control of the third term, hitting three straight triples as the lead swelled to 23.

It wasn't the worst of it, with Clint Steindl and Mitch Norton grabbing some points from the line to take a 27-point lead to the final break.

It saw the final term play out as junk time, with the hosts ultimately cruising to a 27-point victory with their big guns watching on from the bench.