In a heart-stopping National Basketball League (NBL) encounter, the South East Melbourne Phoenix overcame a 15-point second-quarter deficit to edge out the Illawarra Hawks 103-100 at John Cain Arena on Saturday night. The Hawks had a chance to force overtime, but Trey Kell’s desperate three-point attempt at the buzzer fell short, allowing the Phoenix to escape with the thrilling victory.
Hunter, Foxwell Spark Phoenix Comeback
Captain Jordan Hunter led the charge for the Phoenix with a dominant performance, pouring in 23 points. But it was the unexpected heroics of reserve guard Owen Foxwell that truly turned the tide for the home team.
Foxwell, who had been averaging just 5.2 points per game this season, exploded for a career-high 22 points off the bench. He also chipped in 7 assists and 6 rebounds while shooting a scorching 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.
Owen was simply phenomenal tonight. His energy and shotmaking completely changed the complexion of the game when we needed it most.
Phoenix interim head coach Josh King
Imports Lead the Way for Hawks
The Hawks were paced by their import duo of Tyler Harvey and Darius Days, who combined for 37 points. Harvey caught fire in the fourth quarter but his 19 points weren’t enough to get the Hawks over the line.
After building a 36-21 lead early in the second quarter, Illawarra appeared to be in complete control. But Phoenix sharpshooters started to find their range from deep, trimming the margin to 59-52 at the main break.
Sobey Bounces Back After Early Foul Trouble
Nathan Sobey, the Phoenix’s star guard, picked up three quick fouls in the first quarter and was glued to the bench for the entire second period. But he made his presence felt after halftime, providing a much-needed spark as SEM seized momentum.
The home side took their first lead since the opening minutes when they jumped ahead by two points at the final change. From there, it was a back-and-forth affair with neither team able to gain significant separation.
Hunter Seals the Deal in Crunch Time
In the game’s decisive moments, it was the workmanlike effort of Jordan Hunter in the paint that proved pivotal. Despite Harvey’s best efforts to will the Hawks to victory, Hunter’s inside presence on both ends of the floor helped the Phoenix maintain the slimmest of margins.
We knew they were going to make a run. They’re too good of a team not to. But our guys showed tremendous resolve and made the critical plays down the stretch to get this massive win.
Josh King
Missed Opportunity for Kell, Hawks
With 4.2 seconds remaining and the Hawks trailing by three, they had one final chance to extend the game. Kell managed to get a clean look from the top of the key, but his potential game-tying triple hit back iron as the final buzzer sounded, sending the Phoenix bench and crowd into euphoria.
The gut-wrenching defeat is a missed opportunity for the Hawks to gain ground in the hotly-contested NBL standings. They now sit in sixth place at 10-12, two games behind the fourth-placed Phoenix (12-10).
This one stings, no doubt about it. We had control of the game but just couldn’t close it out. Credit to them, they hit big shots and made the critical plays. We’ll learn from this and be better next time.
Illawarra Hawks head coach Jacob Jackomas
Implications for the NBL Playoff Race
With the regular season entering its final stretch, every game takes on added significance in the race for the NBL playoffs. The top six teams qualify, with the top two earning a double chance.
For the Phoenix, this win not only solidifies their position in the top four, but also gives them a mental edge over a potential playoff opponent in the Hawks. The two teams split their four matchups this season, with each winning once on the other’s home floor.
As for Illawarra, they’ll need to quickly regroup with a critical homestand on the horizon. They host the third-placed Perth Wildcats next Friday night in a game that could have significant seeding implications.
Key Takeaways from the Instant Classic
- No lead is safe in the NBL this season – the competitive balance is at an all-time high
- Role players like Owen Foxwell stepping up can be the difference in close games
- Foul trouble for star players like Nathan Sobey can be managed with a deep roster
- Rebounding and points in the paint are still vital, even in the era of high-volume three-point shooting
- Mental toughness and execution in crunch time often separate the elite teams
With a little over a month remaining in the NBL regular season, the jockeying for playoff positioning is intensifying. The Phoenix and Hawks both showed why they are considered championship contenders, even if there can only be one winner on a given night. If this thriller was any indication, basketball fans are in for a captivating finish to an already memorable campaign.
