Melbourne falters late against Illawarra

Melbourne United was unable to make a run for the NBL Cup, falling to the Illawarra Hawks on Saturday night at John Cain Arena. In their final game of the tournament, Melbourne needed a win to keep their hopes alive, but remain in third position with a chance to still take home $50,000 in prizemoney.

It was a game that was dominated by defence, as both teams found it difficult to get going on the offensive end.

Chris Goulding got the scoring underway with a triple to begin the game, but the Hawks got the better start, jumping out to a 10-5 lead after minutes.

Back-to-back buckets for Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. helped United regain the lead, while Sam McDaniel scored twice in the final few minutes of the term. Justin Simon was the key for Illawarra and he scored a buzzer-beater lay-up to make it a one-point game at the first break, with Melbourne leading 21-20.

After starting the first quarter with a Goulding three, the same happened in the second term, but Tyler Harvey was up for the challenge and kept Illawarra within touch.

Harvey and Justinian Jessup were important for the Hawks, while Goulding and Mitch McCarron ensured the scoreboard did tick over for United.

At the main break, Melbourne held a 43-38 lead with Goulding (11 points) and McCarron (9 points) leading the way.

Mason Peatling scored on Melbourne’s first possession of the second half and when Jock Landale converted a dunk after four minutes of play, United’s lead had ballooned out to 10 points, 57-47.

Jessup and Harvey responded for the Hawks, before McCarron answered on the other end with a triple of his own. At the final break, Melbourne held a four-point lead, 60-56, with McCarron (14 points) and Harvey (15 points) leading all scorers.

The fourth quarter belonged to the Hawks and it all started with a 9-0 run that had Illawarra leading by five points, 65-60, after four minutes in the term.

McCarron broke United’s scoring drought, but halfway through the term, his bucket was Melbourne’s lone score in the final frame.

A Jessup triple with 3:33 remaining on the clock had Illawarra leading by four points, but McDaniel answered with a three-pointer of his own to make it a one-point game with three minutes left to play.

When Landale dunked off a great assist by McCarron, Melbourne was within reach – trailing by one-point – with two minutes left.

Unfortunately for United fans, Melbourne didn’t score in the final two minutes as Harvey took over down the stretch with a pair of clutch buckets to lead Illawarra home, 77-69.

McCarron (16 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds) led the way for United, while Landale (12 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists) and Goulding (13 points) were also important.

Harvey (23 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists) was the dominant player on the court, while Jessup (13 points and 6 rebounds) and Bairstow (15 points) were impressive in the win.

Despite the loss, United remains on top of the NBL ladder with a 10-4 record. With one day left in the NBL Cup, Melbourne sits in third position with 29 points.

Next up for United is a Round 10 battle against the Sydney Kings on Friday night at Qudos Bank Arena. Tip off is at 7:30pm.