Triple Threat Powers Hawks' Road Victory
The Illawarra Hawks continued their upward momentum in the NBL with a commanding 107-90 victory over the Cairns Taipans. Key performances from three standout players helped secure the win on Friday at the Cairns Convention Centre.
Will "Davo" Hickey's Historic Triple-Double
Will Hickey recorded the first triple-double of the NBL season, scoring 19 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and dishing out 12 assists. His all-around contribution was vital to the Hawks' success on the road.
Scoring Prowess from Peterson and McGee
- QJ Peterson scored 22 points, including four three-pointers on six attempts.
- JaVale McGee dominated inside with 28 points, six rebounds, and two assists, shooting an efficient 12-of-13 from the field.
Coach Justin Tatum's Praise
"Our performance was really strong, especially coming off Wednesday playing at a high level and we didn't want to drop that intensity. We understand that Cairns is short-manned and our mentality was to keep coming and putting pressure on them as much as we can, and I loved the effort the guys came out and played with."
"They found ways to dominate and score in the paint and make it tough for Cairns."
Context on McGee's Performance
McGee's effort came fresh after his career-best game on Wednesday, where he scored 37 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, helping the reigning champions secure a home win. Cairns, having ended a losing streak in Tasmania, faced difficulty containing McGee's dominance.
Summary: The Illawarra Hawks leveraged a standout triple-double and sharp shooting to maintain their winning form, demonstrating resilience and teamwork on the road.
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