Hawks too good for struggling Adelaide

Wollongong condemned Adelaide to a fourth straight away defeat with a comeback 105-95 NBL victory at Wollongong Entertainment Centre tonight.

The Hawks charged back from a 57-50 halftime deficit with a 31-19 third term, capped off with Rhys Martin’s long three-point buzzer beater.

The Hawks went on with the job in a 24-19 fourth term to post their third win in seven games.

Adelaide (2-4) remain winless on the road and on a four-game losing skid.

They have lost their last five games in Wollongong, dating back to 2006.

Martin and backcourt leader Kavossy Franklin conspired to turn the game in the third quarter.

Martin had seven points and Franklin eight of his game-high 24.

Franklin failed to score for the first time in his career against Perth last Friday night but was inspirational for the Hawks.

Glen Saville, in game 401 for the Hawks, had a strong four quarters with 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Adelaide tried hard and trimmed a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter back to four before Dusty Rychart sank a key three-pointer.

Adelaide made just two more baskets in the four minutes and were overrun by the committed Hawks.

Hawks coach Eric Cooks was elated with the win.

“We showed plenty of spirit after halftime and tightened up our defence,” Cooks said.

“Once we picked up the defence our offence lifted and it was great to see Kavossy play a key role.”

Hawks import Franklin had endured a poor run in recent games but attributed his return to form to being more aggressive.

“I went out there in an aggressive frame of mind,” Franklin said.

“My first shot went down and after that I just wanted to keep it going.

“My team mates have been fantastic and backed me all the way.

“I’ve been playing basketball 17 years now and never lost my self-belief.

“I’ve worked hard and knew the turnaround would come.

“The big thing for us was to get the win and after giving up 57 in the first half it was a great effort to give up only 38 in the second.”

The Hawks have a full week between games before taking on the winless Gold Coast Blaze next Friday night in Wollongong.

Super 14 tipping now live for sign-ups. Join now and invite your mates.

Free Email updates:

• Get a daily Other Sports email

Our daily emails are only sent if there is content for the sport or that author. You can subscribe to multiple daily emails; or get the daily Roar email with all our content in it. We value privacy. More...

© 2007 AAP