With the month-long NBL Cup looming, they'll have wait longer than they'd like, but there's reason to believe it won't be too much longer after Brian Goorjian's side pushed the title favourites to the final buzzer, United throwing the final blow in an epic the WIN Entertainment Centre.

Next Star Justinian Jessup had 17 of his 24 points in the fist half, while Tyler Harvey was monstrous with 22 points and 10 rebounds in a double-double. Sam Froling celebrated his 21^st birthday with a double-double of his own, with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

It saw the Hawks lead by seven midway through the third quarter, but a steadying 21 points and nine rebounds from Scotty Hopson and 17 points and seven assists from Mitch McCarron got the visitors home. Yudai Baba also finished with 15 points and a tireless defensive effort on Harvey in the backcourt.

It was a clash that hinted at a deeper rivalry that could continue through the season and likely post-season.

The Hawks will now turn their attention to Sunday's derby against arch-rivals Sydney after dropping to 4-2 on the season. It won't see them surrender second place on the ladder, and the Hawks fans who packed the arena for the return show were left disappointed only by the defeat.

It was a brave effort from the visitors, who were without star Chris Goulding and defensive menace Shea Ili, while back-up big Jo Lual-Acuil was also absent and franchise man Jock Landale's impact was limited by foul trouble.

The competition leaders will now return to Melbourne for Saturday's clash with Cairns after a day that saw both sides fly into Sydney the morning of the Wollongong showdown.

Hopson had a three and two from the stripe, While Landale chimed with a pair of triples as the visitors took an early seven-point lead. Two fouls slowed the star big up, forcing him to sit, but back to back threes from Dave Barlow and another from Baba kept the momentum with the visitors.

Jessup had eight and Froling added six to briefly re-take the lead with two minutes left in the term. Isaac White and Mitch McCarron traded threes to close the term with United enjoying a five-point buffer after going 7-11 from long-range.

AJ Ogilvy had a rare triple to start the second but McCarron had a quick-fire eight as United's lead swelled to seven. Harvey and Jessup had two each from deep as the Hawks drew back within two at the break.

The Hawks exploded with a 13-7 run to start the third, with Harvey nailing back to back triples to briefly take a seven-point lead, the Hawks biggest of the match. Hopson kept things ticking over for United, taking his tally to 19 as the visitors took a three-point lead to the final break.

Read more: Illawarra return sees new-look Hawks truly take flight

United opened with a 7-4 run as the margin went back out to six but Harvey had four more that brought things back to two. Jessup put it on a one-point knife edge from the line with 90 seconds left, but a quick bucket from Jack White gave the hosts a three-point lead with just 23 seconds left on the clock.

The Hawks got the ball to Harvey out of the timeout but he couldn't find the basket, with United collecting the rebound and dribbling out the clock.