Hawks record biggest win of season against JackJumpers

The Illawarra Hawks have defeated the Tasmania JackJumpers for the first-ever time on Saturday, thanks to a dominant 91-65 win at the Silverdome.

The star in Launceston for the victors was Antonius Cleveland, who notched 22 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals in the Hawks' 13th win of NBL22.

Supporting the Memphis product were NBL Next Star Justinian Jessup (17 points and three rebounds) and Duop Reath (16 points and 11 rebounds) - marking the latter's second straight double-double and fourth in NBL22.

This trio, along with superior performances in the field goal percentage (44 per cent to 35 per cent), blocks (6-3), steals (4-1), points in the paint (40-24) and points off turnovers (18-2).

In the loss, Josh Adams (21 points), Clint Steindl (17) and Jack McVeigh (10) scored in double-figures for the JackJumpers.

The hot-shooting hosts once again started on fire, thanks to two triples from Kenyon, to race out to an 8-3 lead - which stretched to 13-5 following a Magette effort from downtown.

That trend continued during the opening 10 minutes, as Clint Steindl’s three made it 20-12.

But a Tim Coenraad three and Reath two reduced the margin to just three.

That run was shortlived, as another two three by Steindl made it 26-17 at the first break.

Steindl’s fourth straight from downtown (and Tasmania’s seventh from 10th attempts) to open the second term, made it 29-18.

Efforts from Reath and Harvey, sparking a 7-0, kept Goorjian’s troops within striking distance (four points) midway through the second period - forcing Scott Roth to call a timeout.

The Hawks hit the front following two straight tripes from sharp-shooter Jessup - capping a 13-0 run.

Despite an and-one by McVeigh, the Hawks remained in front thanks to Cleveland’s own three-point-play.

The visitors’ play saw them outscore the Ants 32-15 during the second 10 minutes, to lead 49-41 at the main change, following a lay-up on the buzzer by Rathan-Mayes - capping Illawarra's highest-scoring quarter (32) all campaign.

The Hawks kept their door on the gas in the third, with the defence remaining locked in, leading to strong looks for Jessup and Cleveland on the break.

The Ants’ scoring woes continued, as they could only muster two in the opening five minutes of the third, compared to 12 from the Hawks. 

With the hosts going small, the Hawks dominated inside and on the boards with Reath and Sam Froling, helping the side lead by 18 at the final break - marking the Ants’ biggest three-quarter-time deficit all season. 

With their finals hopes on the line, the hosts opened the final term on an 8-2 run. 

The Hawks settled though, with a straight-on three by Harvey - which kept the lead in double-figures. 

In the final minutes, the Hawks emptied their bench and iced the big 26-point win with a triple of skipper AJ Ogilvy. 

Next up for the Hawks, who are now in fourth with a 13-8 record, is a trip to John Cain Arena on Sunday, March 27 to take on premiers Melbourne United in game two of the LifeChanger Cup - tipping off at 3pm.