Game Report: Hawks vs Phoenix | RD11 NBL26

QJ Peterson’s Historic Night Lifts Hawks in OT Thriller

WIN Entertainment Centre witnessed one for the history books Thursday night as the Illawarra Hawks returned from the FIBA break with a thrilling 113-109 overtime victory over South East Melbourne Phoenix — thanks to a record-breaking 42-point masterpiece from QJ Peterson.

It was a performance for the ages from the electric guard, whose 42 points now stand as the highest ever by a Hawk at the WIN Entertainment Centre. He surpassed Adam Ballinger’s long-standing home record of 39 (2005/06), and joined Kevin Lisch as the only Hawks to notch 40 in a modern 40 minute era game.

It was also the highest Hawks score since CJ Bruton had 43 in Brisbane way back in 1998-99 season.

The Hawks looked in full control for most of the night, leading by 18 at halftime and by as many as 20 in the third quarter. Peterson, JaVale McGee and Will “Davo” Hickey had the crowd roaring as the Hawks put on an offensive clinic — scoring 74 points in the paint and getting 48 points from the bench.

But the Phoenix wouldn’t go away.

After trailing 67-47, the visitors mounted a furious comeback behind Nathan Sobey’s late explosion and a flurry of offensive rebounds. Illawarra turned the ball over 24 times and gave up 29 offensive boards — letting South East Melbourne tie the game at 87 in the dying moments of regulation.

With 6 seconds left, and the season hanging in the balance, JaVale McGee threw down a dunk off to tie the scores. Illawarra’s defence stood tall on the final Phoenix possession, forcing a tough Sobey look that fell short.

In the extra period, it was again Peterson and McGee who powered the Hawks home. McGee finished with 29 points and 13 rebounds, while Hickey — fresh off his Boomers heroics — added 16 points and a game-high 6 assists.

While the Phoenix dominated possession and three-point attempts (58 total), 27 more field goal attempts, the Hawks shot a scorching 62% from the field and made key plays down the stretch in OT.

The win lifts the Hawks to 5-9 — notably the same record they held before storming into the postseason in the 2023/24 campaign.

From the Visitors:
Wes Iwundu led the Phoenix with 22 points, while Nathan Sobey dropped 19 — most coming in a dramatic fourth-quarter burst. John Brown III and local product Angus Glover chipped in with 15 apiece.

Next Up for the Hawks:
We’re back at The Sandpit this Saturday night as we take on the Cairns Taipans — tip-off at 8:00pm. Don’t miss the second half of our massive double-header homestand.
🎟️ Grab your tickets now via Ticketmaster.

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HUNGRY JACK’S NBL SEASON 2025/26 (Boxscore)
ILLAWARRA HAWKS 113 (Peterson 42, McGee 29, Hickey 16)
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 109 (Iwundu 22, Sobey 19, Brown III 15, Glover 15)

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