Hawks finish tournament on a high
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The Illawarra Hawks have finished fifth at the 2025 FIBA Intercontinental Cup after defeating Utsunomiya Brex on Sunday.
The Illawarra Hawks wrapped up their 2025 FIBA Intercontinental Cup on a high, with a 93-69 win over Utsunomiya Brex on Sunday.
Following tight Gorpy B defeats to Flamengo (84-82) and NBA G League United (100-94), Justin Tatum’s team were pitted against the Japanese outfit, who had suffered defeats to Unicaja and Alahli SC, in the playoff for fifth.
At the Singapore Indoor Stadium, the 2024-25 Hungry Jack’s NBL champions opened the fixture the stronger, racing out to a 26-14 lead - powered by five points each from JaQuori McLaughlin, Todd Blanchfield and Luca Yates.
The second term followed suit, with the two-tie NBL champions outsourcing their opponents 26-13, to lead by 25 at the main break.
The third quarter was a tighter affair, with the Hawks only winning the period by five (20-15), behind strong by from Harry Froling and Daniel Grida.
Utsunomiya won the fourth quarter 27-21, but the damage had already been done, with Illawarra running out 24-point winners, to claim fifth at their FIBA Intercontinental Cup debut.
US import McLaughlin top-scored in the win, with 15 points, to go along with three rebounds, two assists and one steal.
The Washington-born talent was well-supported by Froling (14 points), Yates (13) and Kobe McDowell-White (12).
The Hawks now return home and will ramp up preparations for their Hungry Jack’s NBL26 season-opener against Tasmania on Saturday at the WIN Entertainment Centre.
The round two fixture, tipping off at 8pm AEST on ESPN, will also see the club unveil its championship banner pre-game.
FIBA INTERCONTINENTAL CUP 2025
ILLAWARRA HAWKS 93 (McLaughlin 15, H Froling 14, Yates 13)
UTSUNOMIYA BREX 69 (Ishikawa 15, Endo 9, Hiejima 8, Hoshikawa 8)
