Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Finn Delany of the Breakers goes flying as Illawarra Hawks Justin Simon grabs the ball. A crucial Simons steal secured a win for Illawarra.
The New Zealand Breakers fell agonisingly short of ending their stay in Australia with a win, going down 73-71 to the Illawarra Hawks in an NBL thriller. The Breakers flew home on Sunday after being forced to spend the past 153 days away from family due to coronavirus-enforced travel restrictions. And they could ve celebrated by getting on the plane with a win, having fought all the way back from 15 points down to claim the lead midway through a tense final quarter.
Justin Simon looks to drive to the basket in the Hawks thrilling win.
Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
The Breakers will finally fly home on Sunday morning after being forced to spend the past 153 days away from family due to coronavirus-enforced travel restrictions.
And they could ve celebrated by getting on the plane with a win, having fought all the way back from 15 points down to claim the lead midway through a tense final quarter.
Illawarra, once again led by star import Tyler Harvey (game-high 24 points), also got some clutch plays from big man Simon Froling, who finished with 12 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks.