The Hawks got their season back on track with a resilient victory over Melbourne United. Nicholas Kay stood out with 15 points and 5 rebounds as the Hawks finally got off the bottom of the NBL ladder. David Andersen impressed with 23 points in the loss.
Final score
Illawarra Hawks 82
Melbourne United 73
Illawarra Hawks will be looking to pull themselves off the bottom of the table when they host Melbourne United at WIN Entertainment Centre. Join The Roar from 3pm (AEDT) for live coverage.
The Hawks haven’t been on the court since falling 98-83 at the hands of the Cairns Taipans in Wollongong.
A 19-point haul from import Marvelle Harris wasn’t enough to pull the Hawks over the line. The Rob Beveridge coached outfit struggled with their conversions bagging juts 31/67 (46 per cent) in yet another dour occasion from the 3-point line sinking just 3 from 17 attempts.
Their lack of three-point shooters could come back to haunt them given United’s red-hot form from range.
The key will be to contain the dynamic Cedric Jackson and keep Tai Wesley quiet.
AJ Ogilvy must step up in rebounds against United’s big man Majok Majok, the forward-center pulling in 11 rebounds in their loss to the Breakers 98-92 on Friday.
New Zealand veteran Alex Pledger proved too good for Melbourne who were unable to come up with the win at home seeing them slide down to second last on the table after five rounds.
Pledger scored 20 points in addition to his 10 rebounds, dominating on offense and keeping David Andersen quiet.
These two teams last clashed in Round 2 when United came away with a 12-point, 88-72 victory following a Todd Blanchfield masterclass.
It is the only encounter between United and the Hawks so far in 2016-17.
Both sides are in serious need of this win – despite featuring in the post-season earlier this year, they have begun this season poorly, and are currently the bottom two teams on the table.
United have a 3-5 record and while only a handful of teams are doing better than them in turns of wins, they’ve played more games than most and haven’t been keeping their ledger even.
The Hawks with a 2-5 record are uncomfortably well behind the pace of the competition.
Prediction
Melbourne will edge past the Hawks in a close encounter.
United by 5.
Join The Roar from 3pm (AEDT) for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, wasn't expecting that. Cheers Sebastian.
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
Where to from here for United? It was this time last year they were looking at a 9-0 start to the season. That's it here from the Hawks vs United live blog, I'll be on the ground at Qudos Bank Arena for the Sydney Kings rematch against the Cairns Taipans so be sure to keep it locked on The Roar
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
Andersen makes the scoreline look a bit better with a baseline J but it's a 9 point win for ILL, 82-73
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
Risky from Rotnei Clarke who gives away possession, MEL capitalise with with a quick basket but the game is over with another ILL layup
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
Looks like a slight yperextension for Harris on his right leg after a collision defending a United drive to the rim.
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
Ouch! Marvelle Harris gets hit down low. Not something anyone wants to see. TO on the floor with 36s remaining.
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
Oscar Forman goes to the line, knocks down both without any trouble. ILL will win this one without much time remaining. Needed the win over United to get off the bottom of the ladder. This could kick start their season
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
Harris knocks down one FT and ILL lead 78-67 with 41s remaining
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
MEL going for the foul, Harris is fouled by Lewis and will head to the line to put the icing on the cake for ILL
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
MEL call TO again, it isn't dead yet for United who are still fighting to win the game with only a minute remaining
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
Adnam checks back in for MEL, Lewis knocks down the three for MEL straight out of the timeout and MEL trail by 10 with 1:07 remaining
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
Wow I've been spelling Rodney the wrong way the whole time ahah apologies to Rotnei Clarke!!
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
1:05 remaining in the game, Clarke knocks down both FT to give ILL the 77-64 lead Timeout called by United
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
ILL heading to the line with Forman knocking down only one FT Andersen comes up short on the other end and Clarke draws the contact close to the hoop
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
Kay with the strong finish inside off a smart cut to the basket, 1:34 remaining as ILL lead by 10 after the J from Andersen
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
Oscar Forman shut it down! Huge three for the Hawks and that extends the lead to 12
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
Travel called on Moore and that's enough for United who call a timeout on the floor 2:28 left, ILL 69-60
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
Norton knocks down a HUGE THREE to push the lead to 69-60 with 2:32 remaining
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
3min left as ILL lead 66-60
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
Tomlinson front rims the 3 again, MEL get their own rebound and ILL should be concerned about the rebounds they're giving up