Hawks Showcase Depth and Resilience in Gritty Road Win
The Illawarra Hawks, sitting comfortably atop the NBL ladder, faced a stern test against the Cairns Taipans in Far North Queensland. Despite the Taipans’ best efforts to slow down the league’s highest-scoring offense, the Hawks displayed their depth and determination, grinding out an 87-75 victory to maintain their stranglehold on the top spot.
Taipans’ Defensive Grit Falls Short
Entering the contest without star point guard Taran Armstrong and import center Tanner Groves, the Taipans knew they had an uphill battle. However, they refused to back down, turning the game into a defensive slugfest. The Snakes’ early 11-0 run set the tone, as both teams struggled to find offensive rhythm in the first half.
We knew it wasn’t going to be easy coming in here, especially with the Taipans missing a couple of key guys. But that’s the beauty of this league – anyone can step up on any given night. We had to dig deep and find a way to win.
— Hawks guard Tyler Harvey
Harvey’s Timely Shooting Sparks Hawks
Tyler Harvey, the Hawks’ leading scorer, once again proved his value, draining a buzzer-beating three to close the first half and give Illawarra a 40-38 lead. Harvey’s timely shooting seemed to ignite the Hawks, as they slowly began to find their offensive footing in the third quarter.
Despite the Taipans’ best efforts, led by the strong play of Pedro Bradshaw (18 points, 14 rebounds) and Sam Waardenburg (14 points, 10 boards), the Hawks’ depth and talent proved too much to overcome. Illawarra’s front-court duo of Sam Froling and Lachlan Olbrich combined for a crucial 7-0 run in the fourth quarter, restoring the Hawks’ advantage and sealing the hard-fought victory.
Unsung Heroes Shine for Hawks
While Harvey led the way with 20 points, it was the contributions of the Hawks’ supporting cast that truly made the difference. “Davo” Hickey provided a much-needed spark off the bench with 9 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds, while defensive stalwart Wani Swaka Lo Buluk held Taipans’ scoring threat Rob Edwards to a mere 17 points on 5-of-16 shooting.
That’s the beauty of this team – we’ve got guys who can step up when called upon. Sam and Lachlan were huge for us tonight, especially after Darius fouled out. It’s that next-man-up mentality that has carried us this far.
— Hawks head coach
Hawks Maintain Top Spot, Taipans Stumble
With the win, the Hawks improved to a league-best 5-1 record, solidifying their position atop the NBL standings. The Taipans, meanwhile, have now lost three straight, falling to 3-4 on the season.
As the NBL season continues, the Hawks have established themselves as the team to beat, showcasing a potent offense and the ability to win even when not at their best. The rest of the league will undoubtedly be looking to knock them off their perch, but if this performance is any indication, the Hawks appear more than ready for the challenge.
