Hawks roll Kings despite blowing 17-point lead

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Hawks roll Kings despite blowing 17-point lead

Wani Swaka Lo Buluk of the Hawks reacts during the round nine NBL match between Illawarra Hawks and Sydney Kings at WIN Entertainment Centre, on November 16, 2024, in Wollongong, Australia. Photo: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Illawarra halt two-game skid with big home win against Sydney

The Illawarra Hawks enjoyed their homecoming by putting their hard hats on to return to the NBL winner's list, building a big lead and then holding out the Sydney Kings late for the Round Nine 86-79 home victory on Saturday, November 16, 2024 (Game Centre / Box Score).

After the Hawks opened up a 17-point lead to start the fourth quarter, the Kings got it all the way back to two before Illawarra finished the better for the seven-point win at WIN Entertainment Centre.

Following a hot start to the season winning five of the first six games, the Hawks had lost three of the past four including the last two on the road as they returned home to host their arch-rivals.

Kings coach Brian Goorjian might not have liked a lot of what his team did last Friday at home to the South East Melbourne Phoenix, but they still escaped with the win but the Hawks exposed his concerns eight days later.

The Hawks outworked the Kings most of the evening in front of a raucous home crowd of 5,321 despite having 20 turnovers and the Kings attempting 16 more field goals and having 21 second chance points on 14 offensive rebounds.

Illawarra did attempt 34 free-throws to 24 and shot 45 per cent from the field opposed to 33 to improve to 7-4 with Hyunjung Lee producing 13 of his 16 points in the second quarter as he ended up shooting 4/5 from deep.

Trey Kell III added 19 points and five assists, Sam Froling 14 points and five rebounds, Tyler Harvey 13 points, four boards and three assists, and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk 12 points and six rebounds.

"We got back to basics and it showed tonight, we wanted it more," Hawks coach Justin Tatum said.

"HJ (Lee) came out here and opened the game up for us, they lost track of one of the best three-point shooters in the league."

Sam Froling of the Hawks controls attacks the paint during the round nine NBL match between Illawarra Hawks and Sydney Kings at WIN Entertainment Centre, on November 16, 2024, in Wollongong, Australia. Photo: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

The Kings are now 7-6 having lost four of six heading into the FIBA break with Jaylen Adams putting up 23 points, six assists and six steals, Cam Oliver 16 points and seven rebounds, Kouat Not 15 points in 18 minutes, and Xavier Cooks 12 points and 10 boards.

"We're just not playing well enough, all around the board," Goorjian said.

"Not playing to our potential and the guys are on the right page, they really wanted this, were desperate, but just didn't play well.

"Frustration sets in (but) ... a little break coming up ... some practice time and we're playing for our season now."

The Hawks were back home for the first time since October 24 and they raced out to the 7-0 lead with Tyler Harvey, Trey Kell III and Sam Froling setting the tone.

Brian Goorjian, coach of the Kings, patrols the sideline during the round nine NBL match between Illawarra Hawks and Sydney Kings at WIN Entertainment Centre, on November 16, 2024, in Wollongong, Australia. Photo: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Sydney, however, responded with the next eight points including three balls to Izayah Le'afa and Jaylen Adams, and by quarter-time the scores were all tied at 22-apiece.

The Hawks took charge in the second quarter and it was a combination of dominating the boards, locking in defensively and then Hyunjung Lee catching fire with 13 of his team's 22 points including three from downtown and one even banking in.

By half-time, Illawarra was on top 44-35 thanks to 24 rebounds to 13 including seven offensively for 11 second chance points along with taking 20 free-throws to four to make up for their 11 turnovers.

The fact that Brian Goorjian had already had to call two timeouts in just over three minutes into the second half says it all about what he thought of how the Kings came out of the break.

The Hawks had outscored them 12 points to four in that stretch to open up a 17-point lead and while Sydney did threaten a fightback including a four-point play from Cam Oliver, Illawarra were still up 13 by three quarter-time.

The Hawks pushed that out to 17 at the start of the fourth quarter but the Kings weren’t done with yet.

Trey Kell of the Hawks shoots a jumper during the round nine NBL match between Illawarra Hawks and Sydney Kings at WIN Entertainment Centre, on November 16, 2024, in Wollongong, Australia. Photo: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

During the next five minutes, Sydney went on a 19-4 scoring run and by the time Oliver knocked down a three ball with 3:30 to go, suddenly the visitors were only two points down with all the momentum.

But Kouat Noi and Bul Kuol fouled out in quick succession, Tyler Harvey hit a huge three to steady the Hawks and from there the home team closed out the eventual seven-point victory.

Both teams now have a break during the FIBA window before the Hawks are back in action hosting the New Zealand Breakers Thursday week while the Kings will be on the road to the Cairns Taipans that Friday.