From 42-point loss to heartbreak: Hawks show resilience in defeat to Adelaide
Heartbreak struck the Illawarra Hawks after a narrow 90-88 defeat to the Adelaide 36ers on Sunday afternoon. Following their equal-lowest score in franchise history, Illawarra delivered one of their best performances in NBL26.
With only 1.6 seconds remaining, Will "Davo" Hickey had two free throws that could have tied the game but missed both. Despite this, Hickey had an impressive game, leading the team with 20 points, along with nine rebounds, eight assists, and four blocks. He was close to achieving a rare triple-double, missing it by just one rebound and two assists, which would have made him only the second Indigenous player to do so.
The Hawks had not won in Adelaide for four years prior to this game. Illawarra head coach Justin Tatum was pleased with the team’s effort, especially given the tough 102-60 loss to the New Zealand Breakers just 48 hours earlier.
"I tip my hat off to my team for coming back and having so much resilience and fighting them today. They gave a great effort on both ends of the floor, just a little bit unlucky," Tatum said.
Tatum added, "If my team plays like this every game from now on with a full, healthy roster, we can beat anybody."
Author’s summary: Despite a narrow loss, the Illawarra Hawks demonstrated remarkable resilience and potential for success under coach Tatum’s leadership.