Illawarra Hawks beat Tasmania JackJumpers, last second controversy, last second defeat, New Year’s Eve clash
The Illawarra Hawks survived an almighty last-second scare to claim a controversial victory over the Tasmania JackJumpers on New Year’s Eve.
Trailing 92-90, the visitors thought they had equalized thanks to Bryce Hamilton in the final second – but post-match replays showed the ball remained in Hamilton’s hand as the game clock expired, meaning the basket didn’t count.
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That left Illawarra clinging to victory at the WIN Entertainment Centre, leaving some life in their NBL title defense.
“Was it good?” » said Damon Lowery.
“(McGee’s) hand goes through the net – I thought they could have called it?”
“Confusion reigns,” added commentator Matt Russell.
“The ball is still in the fingers (when the game clock is up). The Hawks are celebrating – champagne corks popping early in the ‘Gong.
“He had to let go of the ball before time expired – he didn’t do it for the Hawks to be at home. There’s a little asterisk with JaVale McGee’s fingertips in the net.
“Heart in mouth material. »
The Hawks led by 12 points on three occasions but needed that video review of Tasmania’s final shot to claim just their seventh win of the season.
In his second game back from a torn Achilles and first start, Illawarra’s Sam Froling (16 points, 10 rebounds) had a second straight double-double, and compatriot JaVale McGee had 16 points, six rebounds and six blocked shots.
“Are we back? We’re close. We’re close,” Hawks coach Justin Tatum said.
“We’re competitive now. Today we were very competitive, and as we continue to be competitive the rest of the season and find a way to get into that top six, I’ll answer that question again.”
JackJumpers forward Josh Bannan led all scorers with 25 points, and he, Tyger Campbell (18 points) and Johnson (16) did everything they could to keep Tasmania in the game.
Having lost seven of their last nine games heading into the match, the Hawks will start the new year with a 7-13 win-loss record, and Tasmania has slipped to 10-13.
“We played hard,” Tasmania coach Scott Roth said.
“We played as hard as we could. That’s what we do every night, so it’s good for me. We continue to show up and [stay] in the fight, and it’s really, really nice.
“It’s frustrating, obviously, but the fight is real with us.”
NEW FIREWORKS
The New Year’s Eve fireworks were set off early as players from both teams had to be separated after a skirmish at the end of the second quarter.
Illawarra’s Mason Peatling committed a blocking foul on Tasmania’s Nick Marshall, who then stood over the fallen JackJumper and pointed it out to him.
Josh Bannan came to Marshall’s defense and knocked Peatling to the ground, attracting the attention of Illawarra’s Davo Hickey, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk and Tyler Harvey.
The three-man officiating crew reviewed the incident and gave technical fouls to Bannan and Peatling to calm things down.
MILESTONE MEN HAVE LATE IMPACT
Hickey and Swaka Lo Buluk had to settle for late supporting roles on a night when they both reached milestones.
Unofficial 2024-25 Grand Final MVP, Hickey came off the bench in his 100th NBL game for Illawarra, contributing eight points, four rebounds and three assists.
In his 200th overall NBL appearance, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk had to wait until midway through the fourth quarter to score his first points, but his third corner couldn’t have been better timed as it gave the Hawks an 82-74 advantage.
Hickey’s assist for a Peatling basket gave the Hawks an 88-84 lead with 3 minutes 22 seconds remaining, after Illawarra saw a 12-point lead evaporate, then brought down two offensive boards to recycle possession and notch a crucial steal.
He then partially blocked Johnson’s potential game-winning shot in the final seconds.
