This was published 7 years ago
NBL: Chris Goulding hurt as Melbourne United cut down by Illawarra Hawks
By Roy Ward
The loss of star Chris Goulding and an irresistible Illawarra Hawks combined to see off Melbourne United in Wollongong on Saturday night. The Hawks bounced back from a thrashing in Adelaide earlier in the week to defend Melbourne physically and rediscover their offensive depth as six Hawks scored nine points or more in a 106-88 win.
Goulding scored eight points in 17 minutes during the first half but didn't return in the second half with Melbourne reportedly telling Fox Sports the Boomers' guard had "tweaked" something and he looked unusually subdued on the bench in the second half.
Chris Goulding drives to the basket in the first half, before an injury forced him to sit out the second half. Credit: Getty Images
Post game Melbourne United said Goulding had suffered a slight ankle sprain and was advised to sit out the second half.
More damaging for United was the size of the Hawks' win as they now hold a 2-1 lead in their season series plus a 15-point advantage.
The two clubs play their fourth and last game at Hisense Arena on February 6 with United needing to win by 16 points otherwise they won't hold the tie-breaker if both clubs are tied at season's end.
Former NBL most valuable player Rotnei Clarke regained his shooting touch with 25 points and four assists off the bench including a "burger eating celebration" after his late basket took the Hawks' over 100 points and gave home fans a free burger. United star Casper Ware again led his side with 21 points and four assists while Nate Tomlinson scored 16 points off the bench and Tai Wesley 15 points.
Melbourne was noticeably unhappy with discrepancy in the free throw shooting as the Hawks shot 25 of 27 free throws compared to just nine of 13 for the visitors.
The Hawks' started with import Marvelle Harris joining Clarke on the bench and their new starting group pressured Melbourne relentlessly from the opening.
Nick Kay (20 points) was scoring inside while Majok Majok was also finding room to roll to the basket with six point early.
Clarke began to heat up after his inclusion during the first term while Wesley, Goulding and Ware were all finding the basket too.
Pre game Wesley had warned about Hawks' shooter Oscar Forman and his hot form but the veteran still found room for two late three-pointers to see the game tied 25-25 at quarter time.
A Goulding turnover resulted in a Clarke lay-up and a 54-46 Hawks' second term lead. But Ware's return in the final 40 seconds of the quarter had immediate results as he knocked down a long three to see the Hawks up 57-51 at half-time.
Both teams shot over 50 per cent from the three-point line in the first half but Melbourne's shooting prowess was reduced to start the third term with Goulding remaining in the change rooms until halfway through the quarter then not returning to the game.
The Hawks were punishing Melbourne with Kay and others getting inside to score and see their side up 72-57 by the middle of the third term. Enter Ware who scored nine points but the Hawks' shooters weren't dissuaded as Forman and Clarke both made long bombsas their club remained ahead 82-71 at three quarter-time.
Melbourne cut the lead to nine early in the final quarter but the Hawks regained control and extended their lead to 16 points with five minutes to play.
It proved to be the end of the contest as the Hawks' pushed out the margin. United visit Adelaide 36ers in Adelaide on Thursday night then host Cairns Taipans at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Saturday night.