Hawks defeat 36ers to make flying start to NBL22 campaign

The Illawarra Hawks made a winning start to their NBL22 season on Sunday, defeating the Adelaide 36ers 81-71 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

Four Hawks reached double figures during the victory, led by club debutant Duop Reath, who tallied 18 points, nine rebounds, one steal, one block and two three-pointers.

The Australian Boomer was well supported by Justinian Jessup (17 points and four steals), Tyler Harvey (15 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals) and Xavier Rathan-Mayes (15 points and one assist) in the win.

While the hosts, who came into the match on the back of a loss to Perth, were paced by former Hawk Cam Bairstow, who contributed 15 points, nine rebounds, four assists and one steal off the bench.

Others to shine for the 36ers, who were playing without Sunday Dech and Kai Sotto, were Isaac Humphries (13 points and four rebounds), Mitch McCarron (12 points, five rebounds and four assists) and Daniel Johnson (12 points, four rebounds and two assists).

The most telling stat of the afternoon was that of the turnovers, with Adelaide coughing up the ball on 21 occasions, compared to just nine for Illawarra - seeing the latter swipe 14 steals during the contest.

Statement. Opening.

Antonius Cleveland 🤯#NBL22 | @ESPNAusNZ | @10PeachAu pic.twitter.com/gDVw1YtshT

— NBL (@NBL) December 5, 2021

The Hawks started the stronger of the two sides, jumping out to an 11-4 lead midway through the first term, including a sensational reverse slam by Antonius Cleveland.

But the NBL Blitz champions responded, scoring 12 of the next 14 points, to lead 16-13 at the first break.

The scoring was much more free-flowing during the second period, with the Hawks and 36ers registering 24 and 19 points respectively - as the visitors hit the front 40-35 at half-time.

Reath and Harvey paced the Hawks with 12 and 10 first-half points respectively, while Humphries chalked up nine for Adelaide, on a perfect 4/4 from the field.

On the back of numerous turnovers by CJ Bruton’s side, the Hawks scored the period’s first 10 points, to extend their lead to 15.

Despite a mini-fightback by the 36ers, a late three-pointer by Harvey stretched the Hawks’ advantage to 16 heading into the final 10 minutes.

The fourth quarter belonged to Rathan-Mayes, who scored 11 of the Hawks’ first 13 points - including three shots from beyond the arc.

This second-half offensive explosion steered Brian Goorjian’s troops to a solid 10-point round one win.

The Hawks will now shift their attention’s to Saturday’s Freeway Series showdown with the Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena.

While the 36ers travel to Tasmania to face the JackJumpers at MyState Bank Arena on Thursday.

Don’t forget, tickets for the Hawks' first four home games are now on sale via Ticketmaster: https://bit.ly/3rAADJw