LOOKING to find form and keep their top four hopes alive, the Illawarra Hawks downed the New Zealand Breakers 102-87 at MyState Bank Arena. In a tight first half with both teams shooting the lights out, the scores sat at 49-47 in favour of Illawarra. The Breakers scored the first few points of the third quarter, before the Hawks put their foot down to get a much needed win. 

TALKING POINTS

DELAYS HURT THE BREAKERS

The Breakers faced a tough lead up to the game, with plane delays halting their preparation as they were not able to perform their usual shoot around. 

BREAKERS COMPETITIVE IN FIRST HALF

The Breakers will no doubt be happy with their first half, only trailing by two points at the main break. Whilst the Breakers shot 20 from 40 at 50 per cent, turnovers hurt on the offensive end, especially the third quarter and no doubt it will be a key point to address before their next match. Another key category the Breakers will look to address is shooting from three, finishing the game five of 22 at 22 per cent. Their energy in the second half would be one last message to drum home.

CAN THE HAWKS MAINTAIN THEIR MOMENTUM?

With the Hawks not playing at their best the past two games, playing on the road proved to be a big test. The Hawks outplayed the Breakers in the third quarter, 28 to 10, which set up for the rest of the game. The Hawks came out of the half time break with a number of key players stepping up at key moments, hitting shots and playing as a team, which the Hawks must continue to do now that they will be on the road for a while. 

BREAKERS STANDOUTS

With the Breakers undermanned and missing a number of key players, including, Yanni Wetzel, Ousmane Dieng, Rob Lowe and Will McDowell White out, Kyrin Galloway was a shining light, finishing the game with 16 points, five rebounds, Besson with 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists, Delaney back to his best with 12 points, five rebounds, Siva with 12 points and Randle with 20 points and seven rebounds. 

HAWKS STANDOUTS

A number of players were back to their best and lighting it up on the court, with Jessup finishing the game with 23 points, Harvey with 19 points, five rebounds and five assists, Sam Froling with 13 points and six rebounds and other players doing well to share the ball around offensively. 

UP NEXT

The Breakers face the Jack Jumpers on Saturday and the Brisbane Bullets next Monday, whilst Illawarra has a big game against the South East Melbourne Phoenix.