Froling, Kell and Harvey avoid 'hurt locker'

• Hawks back court stars Kell III and Harvey combined for 37
• Illawarra goes to 14-7, snap two-game losing skid
• Sean Macdonald leads JackJumpers with 19 points on 7-from-10 shooting

Hawks head coach Justin Tatum said there was more at stake than a win-loss in their five-point victory against the Tasmania JackJumpers at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Tuesday, January 7, 2024 in Round 15 of NBL25.

"It was extremely important because if you lose a game like that with the situation we're in, and it would have been potentially our third loss in-a-row," Tatum said.

"That would have started messing with our locker room mentally, so it was very important to get back on the winning track."

Illawarra bounced back from consecutive home losses to edge out the defending champion Tasmania JackJumpers 89-84 (Game Centre).

The Hawks set the tone early, breaking away in the second quarter with a dominant 27-13 run that gave them a comfortable 49-36 lead at halftime. Efficient shooting, clocking in at 50% compared to the JackJumpers' 35%, was a key factor in establishing their advantage. However, the defending champions weren't about to go down without a fight.

Tasmania came out of the break, outscoring Illawarra 18-7 in the opening stages of the third quarter to narrow the gap to just two points. The resurgence was spearheaded by Sean Macdonald's sharpshooting and contributions from 350-game veteran Reuben Te Rangi. But just as the JackJumpers seemed poised to take control, the Hawks found another gear.

Wani Swaka Lo Buluk and Tyler Harvey delivered crucial three-pointers early in the fourth quarter, stretching Illawarra's lead back to 12 points. Despite a late push from Tasmania that brought them within three points with just two minutes remaining, the Hawks found a way.

The statistics tell a story of a closely fought contest. The Hawks' balanced attack saw five players score in double figures, with Trey Kell III leading the charge with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Tyler Harvey's 18 points, including four three-pointers, proved crucial, while Sam Froling added 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists.

For the JackJumpers, Macdonald's 19 points came on an efficient 5-from-7 shooting from beyond the arc, while Majok Deng contributed 16 points.

Despite the loss, Tasmania's coach Scott Roth remained positive.

"I'm pleased with the effort, and I have been for the last two months because these guys continue to show up and do the work," Roth said.

The win cements Illawarra's position at the top of the NBL ladder with a 14-7 record, but there's little time to rest on their laurels. The Hawks now turn their attention to Saturday's home clash against the New Zealand Breakers (Game Centre), while the JackJumpers head back to Hobart for a Friday night encounter with the Adelaide 36ers (Game Centre).