Illawarra Hawks 2021: Electric Broekhoff fires Phoenix to big win in Wollongong

Instead, it was his teammate Ryan Broekhoff who stole the show as South East Melbourne claimed a 95-63 win over the Hawks at the WEC on Thursday night.

It was a three-point shooting masterclass from Broekhoff, who nailed 7/11 from long range on his way to a personal tally of 26 points, while Yannick Wetzell had 18 points. Creek - who had been a nemesis for the Hawks in previous encounters - scored just two points and had one assist.

The Phoenix finished with 16/34 from long range, while the Hawks' shooting was disappointing, ending the night with 26/71 from the field.

The shining light for the Hawks was Justinian Jessup, who scored 21 points, with 6/10 from long range, while Sam Froling had 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Besides the difference in shooting quality, Illawarra were forced to pay for a poor third quarter, with the Phoenix going on a 24-0 run on their way to securing victory.

The result means the Hawks are still yet to claim a win against South East Melbourne.

The loss was further hampered by Tyler Harvey limping off with an injury in the third quarter, while Cam Bairstow was ruled out before tip off after failing a fitness test in the warm up.

It was the Phoenix who started the game well on Thursday night, scoring five unanswered points.

But the Hawks responded, going on a 9-0 run, highlighted by a Jessup's beautiful three-pointer. The basket set up the see-sawing nature of the first quarter.

The Hawks led 11-10 when Mitch Creek's introduction to the game was met by loud boos from fans - which would continue every time he touched the ball for the remainder of the night.

Meanwhile, Jessup responded by draining a three-pointer as Illawarra led 14-10. That advantage stretched out to 19-15 with three minutes left, before the Hawks went on a 6-0 run to finish the quarter up 25-15.

Jessup was the standout performer in the first, scoring 12 points with 2-4 from long range.

Momentum continued to swing after the first break, with the visitors drawing level at 29-29, before Broekhoff's free throw gave the Phoenix the lead.

The game continued to ebb and flow, highlighted by Deng Deng nailing a three-pointer with two minutes left to give Illawarra a 36-35 lead.

Wetzell then stepped up to the paint in the dying seconds, draining both shots to give the Phoenix a 39-38 advantage at half time.

Jessup had 14 points going into the break, but did the bulk of his damage in the first quarter, while Froling had six rebounds.

For the Phoenix, Broekhoff scored 14 points with 3/6 from long range, while Wetzell had 11 points.

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With the game in the balance, Jessup shot out of the blocks to score his side's first four points of the third quarter, but the Phoenix settled with Cam Gliddon scoring from long range.

The Hawks big men then got to work, with Froling mustering a great dunk and AJ Ogilvy dropping a jump shot to give their side a 46-45 lead.

But, from there, the Phoenix began to spoil the party in Wollongong.

Broekhoff drained back-to-back three-pointers, while Kyle Adnam also nailed a basket from long range, to kick start a 24-0 run to give their side a 69-46 lead at the break.

Broekhoff went into the last quarter with 23 points, with 6/9 from long range, while Jessup had 18 points for the hosts.

Illawarra needed a big start to the last quarter and they did just that, going on a 7-0 run. Jessup nailed a three-pointer before Froling sunk back-to-back baskets to cut the deficit to 69-53.

But, again, it was Broekhoff who did the damage from long range to end the Hawks' run.

Illawarra responded immediately through Isaac White, before the Phoenix went on a 9-0 run of their own.

The home side steadied, but with three minutes left, South East Melbourne led 86-57.

The Phoenix didn't let up late in the game, rounding out a convincing 95-63 victory.