BOXSCORE

Ayinde Ubaka and the new-look Wollongong Hawks carved out a commanding 90-68 win over the Melbourne Tigers in Wollongong on Friday.

The Hawks built a 20-point buffer in the first half and survived a shaky third quarter to snap a losing run of seven home games.

Wollongong escaped the third term 13-16 with the help of their newest recruit and former Tiger Ubaka, after being out-scored 163-85 in their last seven third periods at the Sandpit.

Ubaka gave his new fans plenty to cheer about on his way to 15 points (8-of-8 free-throws), three steals and three assists, highlighted by sweet dish in the lane to Joevan Catron in his first stint.

Mat Campbell produced a vintage outing with 17 points, including four three-pointers, while Glen Saville added 13 points and nine boards.

Forward Liam Rush poured in 18 points (4-of-6 three-pointers) and Myron Allen impressed with 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Tigers, who slumped to their sixth straight loss.

Wollongong got off to a dream start as Campbell streaked to the hoop for a three-point play off the initial jump-ball.

The Hawks captain continued to roll, draining a pair of triples as the Hawks ran away with a 31-16 first quarter.

An early 8-0 spurt in the second saw the Hawks lead by 20, then after Allen and Rush rallied for the Tigers, a 10-3 Wollongong flurry capped by Tim Coenraad's jumper produced a 56-36 half-time advantage.

Melbourne notched the first six points of the third to momentarily silence the crowd, but the Hawks faithful let out a sigh of relief when Larry Davidson stroked a three from the top of the key.

Both teams then struggled to find baskets until Catron broke the stalemate to keep Wollongong afloat at 69-52 with ten minutes to play.

The Tigers threatened early in the fourth, but a string threes by Oscar Forman, Glen Saville, Campbell and Ubaka secured the Hawks’ second home win of the season.

Wollongong Hawks 90 (Campbell 17, Ubaka 15, Saville 13)?
Melbourne Tigers 68 (Rush 18, Allen 17, Dorsey 12)

Crowd: 3456 at WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong