IN A tightly contested affair, the Illawarra Hawks got back on the winners’ list after defeating the Tasmania JackJumpers by five points when the two sides clashed in the penultimate game of Round 15 of the National Basketball League (NBL).

The Hawks hosted the JackJumpers at WIN Entertainment Centre on Tuesday night, with both sides looking to bounce back following losses earlier in the round. Illawarra was stunned by the bottom-placed Cairns Taipans, while Tassie had its winning streak come to an end at the hands of the SEM Phoenix.

The Hawks were in control for much of the contest, and did enough down the stretch to get the defensive stops and hold on for an important result as they look to finish the 2024/25 season at the top of the table.

Illawarra Hawks (89) def. Tasmania JackJumpers (84)

It was a back and forth start to the match, with the two sides trading blows as momentum switched hands on multiple occasions. It looked as if Illawarra would take a solid buffer into the first change, but Tassie responded late with six of the last eight points to draw within two points at quarter time.

The second term was largely one-way traffic, with the Hawks coming out of the first break on an 11-2 run to open up a double-digit lead. Although five straight points from Anthony Drmic helped the visitors get back in the game, another 14-4 run from the Hawks saw the hosts take a 13-point lead into the main break, leaving Tassie with plenty of work to do.

The defending champions scored the first eight points after half time, and dragged themselves back into the contest almost immediately. The deficit was slashed to as little as two points, but a timely make to Trey Kell III kept Tasmania at arms’ length and ensured the Hawks were still leading by five points at the final break.

Illawarra started the fourth term in perfect fashion, stretching its lead back out to 12 points thanks to some excellent work behind the arc. However, it was not over just yet, with Tasmania rallying late to draw within three minutes with two minutes on the clock. However, Illawarra did enough to hold on and close the match out to break its two-game losing streak at home.

It was a balanced performance from the Hawks, with Kell leading the way in a strong team showing. The import posted an equal game-high 19 points to go with seven rebounds and four assists, while Tyler Harvey (18 points) and Sam Froling (15 points, six rebounds, four assists) also impressed.

JackJumpers guard Sean Macdonald led from the front with 19 points, while Fabijan Krslovic did a bit of everything to post 11 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Tassie star Milton Doyle delivered his first NBL game without a made field goal, producing just one point but did contribute in other ways with 10 rebounds and seven assists.