Harvey fires Hawks to big first up win

Tyler Harvey knocked down six three-pointers, Davo Hickey almost had a triple double and Kyle Adnam continued his NBL1 form as the Illawarra Hawks took charge in NBL pre-season opening 95-78 win over the Saint Mary's Gaels.

It was a first pre-season for the Hawks ahead of NBL27 as the NBL25 champions look to hit back from a disappointing last season and they played host to the Gaels in Wollongong on Thursday night.

Illawarra were still without Milton Doyle and Kelan Martin, but championship winning import Darius Days was on board as was newly naturalised Harvey and the Hawks were able to work on top of the visiting Gaels after a slow start.

The Hawks were narrowly leading 18-16 by the end of the first quarter before the Gaels found some momentum with the Californian college team opening up a four-point advantage in the second term.

Illawarra took over before half-time, though, and were leading 39-35 by the break with Hickey up to 11 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals while Sam Froling had 10 points.

The Hawks were only shooting 4/17 from the outside but then went 5/10 in the third term including Kyle Adnam catching fire on the back of his NBL1 South form at the Sandringham Sabres that including him setting a new national record of 70 points to close the regular season.

Illawarra put up 30 points in the quarter to be leading 69-57 by three quarter-time and then had another 26 to 21 in the fourth on the way to the 17-point win in their first hit out this pre-season ahead of NBL27.

Tyler Harvey ended the night with 6/13 three-point shooting for 21 points and six rebounds with Davo Hickey outstanding with the ball in hands on his way to 19 points, 11 boards, seven assists and two steals.

Adnam might be an injury replacement player, but showed the form he is in with 16 points, four assists and three rebounds with 4/7 long-range showing while Sam Froling added 12 points, three rebounds and three assists while making all four free throws.

Todd Blanchfield is fresh off an NBL1 East MVP season also with Illawarra and he had another 11 points and two assists with Johny Narkle adding six points and two rebounds having this season being upgraded to a full roster spot with the Hawks.

It was a homecoming for Josh Dent to Wollongong who is going into a third season with Saint Mary's to continue the rich Australian history with the Gaels. He had 13 points and six assists as well.

Mantas Juzenas top scored for St Mary's with 24 points and five rebounds including 10 of those points in the third quarter with Salih Altuntas adding 11 points and eight boards, and Vangelis Zougris 10 points, six rebounds and five assists.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 95 – SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE 78

Illawarra Hawks

Tyler Harvey – 23 points, 6 rebounds, 6/13 3PT
Davo Hickey – 19 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists
Kyle Adnam – 16 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds
Sam Froling – 12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
Todd Blanchfield – 11 points, 2 assists

Saint Mary's Gaels

Mantas Juzenas – 24 points, 5 rebounds, 4/7 3PT
Josh Dent – 13 points, 6 assists
Salih Altuntas – 11 points, 8 rebounds
Vangelis Zougris – 10 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists
Darius Bivins – 8 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists