WOLLONGONG - The WIN Entertainment Centre witnessed pure basketball drama on Sunday night as the Illawarra Hawks fell agonisingly short against the Adelaide 36ers in a heart-stopping 95-93 defeat that wasn't decided until the final second.
In what could only be described as an NBL classic, both teams traded blows throughout an intense fourth quarter that had fans on the edge of their seats. The Hawks, led by an outstanding performance from Gary Clark who poured in 28 points, looked poised to secure a crucial home victory.
Final Seconds Frenzy
With just 15 seconds remaining and the score locked at 93-93, the stage was set for a dramatic finish. The Hawks had possession and a chance to win the game, but Adelaide's defence held firm, forcing a crucial turnover that would prove decisive.
Anthony Drmic emerged as the hero for the visiting 36ers, sinking a clutch jump shot as time expired to break Illawarra hearts and secure the dramatic road victory for Adelaide.
Clark's Dominant Display
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Gary Clark delivered one of his finest performances in a Hawks uniform. The American import was virtually unstoppable, adding 10 rebounds to his 28-point haul for a impressive double-double.
"It's a tough one to swallow," Clark said post-game. "We fought hard and put ourselves in position to win, but credit to Adelaide - they made the play when it mattered most."
What This Means for the Hawks
The narrow defeat leaves the Hawks with plenty of positives despite the disappointing result. Their competitive performance against one of the league's stronger teams demonstrates significant improvement under coach Justin Tatum.
"We're building something special here," Tatum told reporters. "Games like this hurt, but they show we can compete with anyone in this league. We'll learn from this and come back stronger."
The Hawks now turn their attention to their next challenge, determined to convert their competitive performances into victories as the NBL season continues to intensify.
