SOUTH East Melbourne Phoenix looked in all sorts of trouble early in the year, but their recent form has been nothing short of exemplary and they know how to beat ladder leaders Illawarra Hawks. While others have struggled to do so, the Phoenix made it back-to-back wins over the Hawks, getting the job done 110-105 at the WIN Entertainment Centre to snap Illawarra’s five-game winning streak.

In an incredible result for the rejuvenated Phoenix, the visitors started strongly to lead by five points at the first break. As every great side does, Illawarra worked its way back into the contest to tie the scores at the final break, before a frantic last term – which included the clubs still being level with less than two minutes on the clock – resulted in the Phoenix holding their nerve better and coming away with a five-point victory on the road.

It was a perfect storm for the Phoenix who found the right balance across the board with five players notching up double-digit points, and four of them being 17 or more. The basketball IQ and passing of Derrick Walton Jr was on full display, dishing off 11 assists to go with 17 points, four rebounds and two steals, while fellow guard Nathan Sobey knocked down a game-high 25 points – including three of six from beyond the arc – with four rebounds and four assists.

Long-range deadeye Matt Hurt drained four of six himself from three-point range, finishing with 17 points, five rebounds and two blocks, while Joe Wieskamp came off the bench to impact the front court with 22 points, six rebounds and two steals in less than 26 minutes. Jordan Hunter (11 points, five rebounds) and Angus Glover (nine points, two rebounds) also contributed to the win.

Illawarra had to cop the ‘L’ despite a big double-double performance from Sam Froling. The forward pulled in 10 rebounds and nailed 18 points in 26 minutes, sharing the load there with the Hawks’ dominant guard pair of Tyler Harvey (20 points) and Trey Kell III (16). Also making his presence felt, William Hickey was extremely economical off the bench for the Hawks, recording 18 points, six rebounds and foud assists in 20 minutes.

South East Melbourne Phoenix coach Josh King said he was so proud of the team’s willingness to grit late in the contest.

“I think we won the game in that last two minutes and I felt like we were the tougher team in the last two minutes of the game,” he said. “I’m just really proud of the collective effort from my team.”

Both he and Illawarra coach Justin Tatum received technical fouls with tensions rising off the bench in the second and third quarters respectively.

Tatum said little mistakes late ultimately cost his side a sixth straight win.

“It came down to our attention to detail and little small things with some careless turnovers late,” he said.

“We only had three turnovers going into the half and four going into the fourth quarter, and ended up with eight so it’s just our attention our detail. “It was the same way we lost to them last time with crucial turnovers at crucial point of times.”