Hawks hold out United for critical win

Makur Maker capped off his huge performance with the biggest shot of the game from long-range as the Illawarra Hawks were rewarded for being on top most of the way holding out Melbourne United 91-89.

The Hawks arrived at John Cain Arena having lost six of seven matches so far in NBL27 and having yet to win on the road and losing by an average of 15 points so far away from the 'Gong.

That had their backs to the wall taking on a Melbourne team having won their last couple and United opened up a six-point lead by quarter-time.

But the Hawks took control from there with a 35-point second quarter on 16/26 shooting while holding Melbourne to 16 on 6/18.

Illawarra would end up leading by as much as 16 points as well but Melbourne led by Cole Anthony made their move in the fourth quarter with Josh Oduro putting them in front with a put back from an offensive rebound inside the last two minutes.

That's when with just over a minute left, the biggest shot of the game came from Maker as he drained the three ball to cap his performance of 23 points and six rebounds with 10/14 shooting in just under 20 minutes.

United still had a chance on the last possession down two, but Anthony slipped as he tried to get into his move, then the ball slipped out of his hands and a rushed shot at the buzzer from Luke Travers rimmed out.

It was a big result for the Hawks as they improve to 2-6 with the win coming despite Melbourne taking 29 free throws to 12, and pulling down 19 offensive rebounds to eight.

Milton Doyle also had 16 points and seven assists against his old team with Kelan Martin providing 14 points and three assists, Sam Froling 12 points, six rebounds and three assists, Davo Hickey nine points and two steals, and Tyler Harvey nine points, five boards and four assists.

Melbourne are now 3-4 with Anthony shaking off his frustrations of the first half for 24 points, six rebounds and five assists with Josh Oduro ending up with 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Joe Ingles added 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists, Sam Waardenburg 13 points and four boards, Luke Travers 12 points, seven rebounds and two steals.

Both teams came into the contest fresh having not played for at least a week and Melbourne did have the better of the opening quarter even with Cole Anthony going scoreless with just two shot attempts.

Sam Waardenburg stepped up for seven points and Josh Oduro six for the home team to be leading 27-21 after one on 10/17 shooting to the 7/17 from the Hawks.

But Makur Maker and Sam Froling also combined to score 14 of the 21 points for Illawarra with the big men combining to shoot 6/8 and the rest of the team 1/9.

The Hawks then took control with a monster second quarter which ended up seeing them put up 35 points on 16/26 shooting and by half-time they were in control leading 56-43 having held Melbourne to just 16 points on 6/18 shooting and forcing them into nine turnovers.

By half-time, both Froling and Maker were up to 12 points and four rebounds for Illawarra with Milton Doyle adding 12 points and four assists against the team he played with in NBL26.

Cole had picked up his third foul with a technical meaning he still had just four points on 1/4 shooting for Melbourne while Waardenburg and Joe Ingles had combined for 20 of their 43 points.

United tried to get back into the contest in the third frame and Anthony did have nine points on 4/8 shooting, but the Hawks continued to have the answers and with an array of strong finishes at the rim from Maker for him to be up to 20 points, the visitors were still up 78-65 after three.

Melbourne kept on coming, though, and by the time Anthony scored after an Ingles steal with just over two minutes to play, scores were level and United had all the momentum.

Oduro then scored on an offensive rebound to put Melbourne in front a minute later but the biggest shot of the game came from beyond the arc by Maker with just over a minute to go.

He knocked that down to put the Hawks back up one and they held on for the two-point win with Anthony unable to get off a shot on the last possession and Luke Travers missing his game winning attempt at the buzzer.

The Hawks now have two home games in Round 6 firstly against the Sydney Kings on Thursday and then the Brisbane Bullets on Saturday.

United are on the road to the Perth Wildcats on Friday night before backing up at home to the Kings on Sunday.

MELBOURNE UNITED 89 – ILLAWARRA HAWKS 91

Melbourne United
Cole Anthony – 24 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists
Josh Oduro – 16 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists
Joe Ingles – 15 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists
Sam Waardenburg – 13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Luke Travers – 12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals

Illawarra Hawks
Makur Maker – 23 points, 6 rebounds
Milton Doyle – 16 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds
Kelan Martin – 14 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks
Sam Froling – 12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
Tyler Harvey – 9 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists