Illawarra Hawks survive thriller in Wollongong to snap three-game losing streak

In a pulsating affair at the WEC, the Hawks showed great spirit to fight back from 13 points down in the last quarter to claim a 82-80 win over South East Melbourne on Friday night.

It is the first time that Illawarra has beaten the Phoenix since they joined the NBL in 2019. However, it was a far from polished performance by the home side, who again struggled in offence, shooting 29/65 from the field.

But, in the end, the brilliance of Justinian Jessup and Tyler Harvey proved crucial - especially as the Hawks surged home in the fourth quarter. Jessup managed 26 points and six rebounds for the night, while Harvey had 22 points, six boards and four assists.

For the Phoenix, Kyle Adnam was superb, contributing 22 points with 5/6 from long range, while Mitch Creek and Keifer Sykes scored 15 and 14 points respectively off the bench.

The Hawks, looking to snap a three-game losing streak, headed into the clash without Emmett Naar and Cam Bairstow due to injury.

And it was the Phoenix who started well, jumping out to a 10-4 lead, including an 8-0 run.

Sam Froling's free throw ended their run, before Ryan Broekhoff's three-pointer and Creek's basket plus follow-up free throw gave the Phoenix a 16-5 advantage. With two minutes left, Lachlan Dent scored a much-needed basket for Illawarra, but their opponents responded quickly through Creek.

Enter Deng Deng, who followed up a rebound by scoring a basket to cut the deficit to 18-10 at the first break.

The home side started the second quarter well, with Tyler Harvey and Froling mustering baskets. Keifer Sykes then hit a three-pointer to stop their run, but Froling and Harvey again responded to cut the margin to 21-18.

South East Melbourne responded through a Wetzell basket, before Harvey fired one home from long range. Wetzell then scored a free throw, before Jessup scored two from the line. However, Adnam and Reuben Te Rangi's baskets gave the Phoenix a 28-23 lead.

The Hawks then lifted, scoring seven of the next 10 points, with Deng Deng tipping in two baskets and a free throw.

But South East Melbourne settled, going on a 10-0 run heading into half time. Wetzell's hook shot was followed by Sykes hitting back-to-back shots from long range, before Creek's basket gave the visitors a 41-30 lead at the main break.

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After half time, it was Adnam who shot out of the blocks for the visitors, scoring twice from long range to give the Phoenix a 17-point buffer.

However, it was the Hawks who then went on a 7-0 run. Jessup sunk a three-pointer and Justin Simon nailed a jump shot, before Harvey's basket cut the margin to 47-37.

Adnam's free throw broke Illawarra's run, but Froling responded with a basket plus free throw as the Hawks trailed by eight points.

Sykes scored next for the Phoenix, but Jessup hit back from long range. Creek then hit a jump shot, before Deng Adel mustered a basket as South East Melbourne led 52-45.

The game continued to settle into an end-to-end pattern in the third. Sykes' free throw was followed by a Jessup three-pointer, before the Phoenix scored four unanswered points.

Harvey then managed with a basket plus follow-up free throw, and Deng Deng's back-to-back free throws cut the margin to 57-53.

With a minute left. Creek mustered a dunk, before Simon hit back with a basket. Creek's late lay up then gave the Phoenix a 61-55 advantage at three-quarter time.

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The Phoenix started the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run, highlighted by a Cam Gliddon three-pointer, to take a 68-55 lead. At that stage, it seemed like game over for the home side.

However, Harvey then sunk one from long range to stop the run, before Jessup's three-pointer got the Hawks within seven points.

The Phoenix responded through a Wetzell alley-oop, before Harvey hit truly from the deep to cut the deficit to 70-64.

Jessup then drew a foul on his way to scoring a basket, with his ensuing one from the line saw the Hawks draw within three points.

Adnam scored a basket to halt the Hawks' momentum, but the home side hit back immediately through Froling and Simon as the Hawks trailed 72-71.

Adnam again proved the thorn in Illawarra's side, scoring from long range, before Jessup went two from two from the line.

Jessup then hit truly from the deep to give the Hawks a 76-75 advantage - their first lead since the opening quarter.

With 98 seconds left, Harvey got the WEC pumping, hitting from long range to give Illawarra 79-75 lead.

After a timeout was called, the Hawks stood up in defence to deny the Phoenix scoring, before Harvey scored one from the line to extend their advantage to five points. Simon then scored back-to-back free throws as Illawarra led 82-75.

But the Phoenix refused to give in, with Adnam sinking another three-pointer to cut the deficit to 82-78.

With 18 seconds remaining, Ben Moore was subbed out after giving away his five personal foul. It saw Simon go to the line, where he missed both free throws. The Phoenix surged up the other end, with Simon giving away a foul, with Adnam going two of two from the line as the Hawks led 82-80.

After Brian Goorjian called a timeout, Creek fouled Froling on the ensuing play, leading to the big man going to the line with nine seconds left.

Unfortunately, Froling missed both attempts, giving the Phoenix one last play. Adam Gibson had a crack from beyond the perimetre, but the shot swayed wide, as the Hawks held on for victory.