Reath, Harvey lead second half revival in win over defending champs at NBL Blitz

A sensational third quarter comeback led by Duop Reath and Tyler Harvey has powered the Illawarra Hawks to an excellent 97-90 Blitz win over defending NBL champions Melbourne United at the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre.

Reath (18 points, six rebounds) and Harvey (nine points, three assists, three steals) combined for 17 of the Hawks’ 23 points in the third quarter as they turned a nine-point deficit into a four-point lead with ten minutes remaining.

Illawarra trailed Melbourne 61-52 at the main break after United held Harvey scoreless in the first half and closed the second period with a 16-5 burst, despite the best efforts of import Antonius Cleveland (21 points, four rebounds, three steals) who had 15 points to pace the Hawks in the opening stanza.

But Harvey was in full-blown attack mode to start the third period, putting extreme heat on the rim and nailing a trademark deep triple to score nine points in the opening four minutes of the frame.

Reath took over late, showcasing his perimeter range with eight consecutive points including two threes, and Illawarra grabbed the momentum thanks to a much-improved team defensive effort, despite being hammered on the boards and at the free throw line, an area where United set up shop for most of the night.

Xavier Rathan-Mayes (14 points, five rebounds, three assists) was the man for the Hawks early in the fourth as they continued to press the action. Illawarra’s import floor leader was a tough cover for Melbourne’s normally stout defence and showed just why luminaries like Phil Handy and Kurt Rambis have been so high on him.

Predictably, United wouldn’t go away, and five points from Chris Goulding (19 points, four assists) helped cut the Illawarra lead to just two points with a little over two minutes remaining.

However, that just opened the door for Goulding’s fellow Australian Olympian Duop Reath, who was dominant down the stretch for the Hawks. He had a tough drive for the deuce in traffic and then nailed a sweet fadeaway to push Illawarra out to a six-point advantage with 56 seconds remaining.

United forward Mason Peatling (12 points, eight rebounds) had an inside bucket to make it a one-possession game, but that was Melbourne’s last score of the night as Tim Coenraad and Sam Froling (12 points, four rebounds) knocked down four free throws in the final 15 seconds to secure Illawarra’s second win of the Loggins-Bruton Cup.

The Hawks jumped to the top of the NBL Blitz ladder with their victory, thanks to adding six total points (the game win plus three quarters won) to their six they were awarded after the 116-112 overtime victory last Monday night against South East Melbourne Phoenix.

Illawarra shot the ball at an efficient 55% from the field, were 9 of 30 from three-point range and 12 of 15 from the free throw line. Incredibly, Melbourne went to the charity stripe a whopping 39 times, hitting 27 for a 69% return, and they outrebounded the Hawks 45-29, although Illawarra’s effort on the glass was much-improved in the second half after they gave up 11 offensive boards in the opening 20 minutes.

The two wins in Melbourne give the Hawks the inside track on winning their second preseason tournament, after they won the Australian Basketball Challenge held in Brisbane in 2016.

Get set Wollongong! The Hawks are flying home for their final two games of the NBL Blitz at the WIN Entertainment Centre; and they are events not to be missed! Illawarra will play the New Zealand Breakers on Thursday 25^th November before taking on arch rivals the Sydney Kings on Saturday 27^th November. Tipoff for both games is scheduled for 7:30pm and tickets for both games are on sale and available HERE.

If you can’t make it to the stadium, the games are available on Kayo Freebies HERE or listen via Cluch Radio HERE.

Memberships are now on sale for the NBL22 season. Click HERE for more information.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 97 (Cleveland 21, Reath 18, Rathan-Mayes 14)
MELBOURNE UNITED 90 (Lual-Acuil 20, Goulding 19, Agada 16) at Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre.

BOXSCORE