IT WAS an excellent night for the away sides in Thursday’s National Basketball League (NBL) action, as both SEM Phoenix and Melbourne United both picking up wins to kick off Round 6 of the 2024/25 season.

It was a rare Thursday night double-header to kickstart the action for the weekend, and there were a pair of intriguing matches to open the account for the sixth round of play as the season rolls through at a rapid pace.

With both contests resulting in upsets, the ladder changed once again in one of the tightest seasons in NBL history.

New Zealand Breakers (62) def. by SEM Phoenix (88)

The Phoenix made it two in a row after defeating the Breakers in emphatic fashion when the two sides played in the first game of the round at Spark Arena on Thursday evening. After notching up a maiden win for the season over United last weekend following an 0-5 start to the season, South East Melbourne built on that performance, storming out to a double-digit lead early on the back of an excellent rebounding performance as a team to walk out 26-point winners.

Phoenix import Matt Hurt is leading the league in scoring as it stands and was fantastic again in the win over the Breakers, posting 19 points and seven rebounds as he continues to reward South East Melbourne for signing him as an import. Fellow off-season signing Angus Glover also nailed three triples on four attempts to post 13 points off the bench. The result marked Sam McKinnon‘s second win as head coach in as many games, although he will soon be replaced by Josh King.

Illawarra Hawks (87) def. by Melbourne United (92)

In a thrilling contest, United gritted their teeth to defeat the ladder-leading Hawks by five points at WIN Entertainment Centre on Thursday night. There were plenty of big moments as Melbourne jumped ahead to a seemingly safe lead in the dying stages of the match. However, the Hawks knocked down three triples in a row to bring the margin back to one. Controversy ensued as Melbourne skipper Chris Goulding played for a foul despite there being seemingly minimal contact, and the Hawks’ protests to an initial whistle resulted in Justin Tatum being called for a technical foul. A clock error meant the play was null and void, but the call on Tatum stood, allowing United to hold on for a win by showing composure at the free throw line.

Despite drawing the ire of Hawks players, fans and coaches at the end of the game, Goulding was immense for the victors, pouring in 25 points and proving his usual self when it came to tormenting the opposition from behind the arc. He formed an excellent duo with forward Jack White, who was a force on the glass, pulling down 18 rebounds to go with 12 points and showing his class by knocking down the game-sealing free throws at the end of the match.