NBL27 Match Recap - CODE Sports Blitz v Illawarra Hawks

Melbourne United have claimed the Loggins-Bruton Cup, holding off the Illawarra Hawks 103-98 to finish on top of the CODE Sports NBL Blitz table.

Former United guard Milton Doyle opened the scoring with a triple, but Chris Goulding hit straight back with one of his own. Shea Ili followed quickly after with a knockdown three.

Sam Waardenburg denied an Illawarra layup soon after, only to come down awkwardly and roll his ankle with 6:20 left in the term. He did not return to the game.

Luke Travers then found Josh Oduro for an and-one finish to settle United, and the big-man took over from there, teaming up with Tom Wilson on the pick and roll before rising into a turnaround fadeaway to put Melbourne back in front.

It was Ili who had the final word, dropping a floater on the quarter-time buzzer for a 21-19 lead and drawing a roar from a Bendigo Stadium crowd tilted heavily United's way.

Melbourne went to work on the offensive glass to start the second, Kyle Bowen collecting a putback before Goulding cashed an open three off another second chance.

Krslovic charged downhill and finished with a dunk, and an inspired Ili followed, looking for a highlight of his own moments later, drawing the foul on a dunk attempt and converting from the stripe.

Oduro was unstoppable, firing over Froling and taking his tally to 13 points at 100% shooting, before Travers opened his account with a triple.

Oduro then punctuated the half with a huge jam out of a pick and roll with Goulding, closing a first half in which he racked up 15 points, six rebounds and a block.

Goulding had 14 and Ili 12, with Melbourne up 51-44 and both quarters banked, Doyle keeping the Hawks within reach on the back of five triples from five attempts.

With Goulding managed out of the second half, Illawarra started the third quickly, only for a Travers drive and score to steady the ship.

The versatile wing then blew up a Hawks alley-oop attempt in impressive fashion, and Oduro shrugged off Froling for a strong and-one to take his total to 17.

Wilson answered an Illawarra triple with two of his own in quick succession, then went coast to coast for a layup to complete a solo 8-0 run.

Ili arrested another Hawks surge with a step-through and-one, but left the floor with an injury shortly after.

Todd Blanchfield drew a foul from behind the arc with two seconds on the clock and knocked down all three, handing Illawarra the quarter and a 76-78 lead at the final change.

With United undermanned, in stepped Christian D'Angelo to cut into the deficit with a three, before Travers cut backdoor and finished a slick Krslovic feed to lock the game up at 84 apiece.

A full-court outlet pass from Travers then found D'Angelo for an easy layup, and when the Hawks hit back, Wilson responded immediately from deep, then again to nudge Melbourne in front.

Krslovic swatted a driving Doyle, scored easily in the lane and found Oduro on the next possession, before Malith Machar splashed a transition triple to cap an 8-0 run and force an Illawarra timeout with 1:38 remaining.

Travers walled up Froling once more, and Machar's free throw with 10 seconds to play sealed it.

Ultimately, United finished with a 103-98 victory, taking three of the four quarters and the Loggins-Bruton Cup with them.

Travers capped the weekend off by being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, taking home the Ray Borner Award.

Melbourne will next come up against the New Zealand Breakers at 6:30pm this Thursday 10 September at MSAC, in the final match up of United’s pre-season. Tickets are still available here.

BOX SCORE & FULL STATS AVAILABLE HERE

Melbourne United will open the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 season at home against the Adelaide 36ers at 7:30pm Saturday 19 September at John Cain Arena. Tickets available via AXS.