Hawks First Hit Out Ahead of NBL Season

The Illawarra Hawks got an early look at the potential new backcourt Tyler Harvey and Justin Robinson will have during NBL23, but it was UC Riverside who scored the Saturday night victory on the back of impressive performances from their New Zealand and Australian guns.

It was a first pre-season hit out for the Hawks ahead of the 2022/23 NBL season, with Jacob Jackomas taking over as coach, and there was plenty to be enthused about considering it's still two weeks out from the Blitz and a month out from the season proper.

The backcourt combination of Harvey and Robinson combined for 44 points and six assists in an exciting sign for the future for Illawarra, but ultimately it was the travelling University of California, Riverside team that prevailed.

The Highlanders claimed the 94-87 victory on Saturday evening at The Snakepit in Wollongong and it was their three players from Australia or New Zealand who inspired the win, with Lachlan Olbrich, Wil Tattersall and Flynn Cameron all outstanding.

The Hawks might have lost the game, but it was a good first up hit out, with new imports Robinson and George King getting to hit the floor along with fellow new signings Mangok Mathiang, Deng Deng and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk.

Harvey is preparing for his third season in the 'Gong and looks ready to fire again in NBL23 on the back of 24 points and three assists.

His new backcourt partner, Robinson, looked impressive as well as he finished with 20 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals in over 31 minutes of court time.

Sam Froling has had a huge off-season, spending plenty of time in the Australian Boomers setup, including winning gold at the FIBA Asia Cup. He had another strong performance made up of 18 points and seven rebounds.

King had six points and three rebounds in 23 minutes, while Mathiang and Swaka Lo Buluk contributed five apiece. 

There was a lot to like from UC Riverside in their victory as well under coach Mike Magpayo, as they prepare to again compete in the Big West Conference.

Former Adelaide 36ers development player Lachlan Olbrich had a strong showing inside for Riverside finishing with 19 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, two blocks and two assists.

Flynn Cameron has been playing some standout basketball on the international stage with the New Zealand Tall Blacks this off-season and he turned it on against the Hawks as well, with 18 points and eight rebounds while hitting four of nine from three-point range.

Melbourne local Wil Tattersall is another back on home soil as part of this trip for the Highlanders and he produced 12 pints, two rebounds and two assists.

Zyon Pullin added 18 points and eight assists for Riverside and Jamal Hartwell li 11 points with three of six shooting from three-point range.

The Hawks will be in action once again next Saturday against the New Zealand Breakers in Pukekohe before the NBL Blitz gets underway in Darwin on Friday September 16.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL23 PRE-SEASON

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 87 (Harvey 24, Robinson 20, Froling 18)
UC RIVERSIDE 94 (Olbrich 19, Cameron 18, Pullin 18) 

BOX SCORE