Hawks suffer first home loss of season to United

The Illawarra Hawks have suffered their first home defeat of the NBL22 season, going down 88-84 to Melbourne United at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Sunday.

Leading the way for the reigning champions was Australian Boomer Matthew Dellavedova, who finished with 33 points - including 7/11 from three.

The 31-year-old point guard also dished out nine assists and grabbed four rebounds.

Others to score in double-figures for the visitors, who recorded their sixth straight win, were Jack White (14 points), Caleb Agada (13) and Jo Lual-Acuil (11).

For the Hawks, Justinian Jessup hit five shots from downtown to top-score with 18 points.

Harry Froling, Duop Reath and Antonius Cleveland all chipped in 14 in the LifeChanger Cup clash.

The Hawks, wearing their Space Jam: A New Legacy jerseys, started the stronger of the two sides, racing out to a 12-7 lead mid-way through the term, thanks to five quick points by Duop Reath.

Costly turnovers by the hosts allowed United to gain the ascendancy at the end of the first, seeing them lead 22-20 at quarter-time.

The two foes traded baskets during the second term, with five straight points by NBA Next Star Justinian Jessup helping the Hawks regain the lead.

But a scoring explosion by Australian Boomer Dellavedova, who had 19 first-half points - including five from six from downtown, saw United lead by five (47-42) at the main break.

Brian Goorjian’s troops reduced their deficit to three points following scores by Reath and Jessup.

That was short-lived though, as the visitors rattled off the next seven points, to push the lead out to double digits.

The Hawks closed the period with a three-point barrage - including shots from Jessup, Harry Froling (two) and Antonius Cleveland, to level the scores.

Late free-throws from Caleb Agada have United the 70-68 lead going into the final quarter.

Cleveland continued his impressive game with a silky euro step to the basket - tying the scores at 70-all.

United then went on an 8-1 run before Harry Froling nailed an off-balance three, as the shot clock expired, to keep the hosts in it.

The visitors continued to respond though, with clutch baskets from Jack White and Dellavedova keeping their lead intact.

A late three-point play by Cleveland brought the Hawks to within four with 30 seconds remaining.

Despite their best efforts in the final exchanges, the Hawks couldn’t close the margin anymore, as United ran out four-point winners.

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Next up for the Hawks is the Perth Wildcats on Saturday, January 22 at the WIN Entertainment Centre - tipping off at 7.30pm AEDT.