Hawks smother Kings to tighten hold on NBL rivals

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Hawks smother Kings to tighten hold on NBL rivals

Illawarra’s stranglehold over rivals Sydney under new coach Justin Tatum has tightened after a testy 86-79 NBL win in Wollongong.

The Hawks frustrated the Kings on Saturday night as they moved to 7-4 to sit third, a vocal crowd enjoying the last laugh after another feisty build-up between the NSW neighbours.

The Kings (7-6) sit fifth after taking 71 shots compared with the Hawks’ 55 but making one less bucket than the hosts, who also attempted 10 more free throws.

The Hawks’ South Korean sharpshooter Hyunjung Lee (16 points, four rebounds, two assists) nailed his first four three-pointers and didn’t miss a shot until the fourth quarter.

Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (12 points, six rebounds) made timely contributions at both ends, while Sam Froling scored 14 points and Trey Kell (19 points, five assists) took player-of-the-match honours.

It was a frustrating return to his former club for Kings coach Brian Goorjian, while Tatum now boasts a 4-0 record against Sydney – and 11-5 at home – since taking over the embattled Hawks last year.

“We got back to basics and it showed tonight, we wanted it more,” Tatum said.

“HJ (Lee) came out here and opened the game up for us, they lost track of one of the best three-point shooters in the league.”

The Hawks led by as many as 19 points, but faced some resistance late in the third term.

But William Hickey’s chase-down block on Alex Toohey and a Kell three-pointer on the buzzer gave the Hawks a 13-point buffer at the final break.

The visitors came again in the fourth quarter, Kouat Noi hitting a triple then drawing an offensive foul, before Jaylen Adams’ (23 points, six assists, six steals) triple made it a seven-point game down the stretch.

Cam Oliver (16 points, seven rebounds) dragged in a huge board and hit the triple to make it a two-point game with three minutes to play.

Tyler Harvey (13 points) popped up when needed though, drilling his three-point attempt to ease some pressure.

Adams kept coming, another triple getting them within six in the final minute, before Harvey’s free throws and a Swaka Lo Buluk defensive play iced the contest.

“We’re just not playing well enough, all around the board,” Goorjian said.

“Not playing to our potential and the guys are on the right page, they really wanted this, were desperate, but just didn’t play well.

“Frustration sets in (but) … a little break coming up (for international fixtures) … some practice time and we’re playing for our season now.”

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