NBL Round 15 (Regular Season): Melbourne Utd beat Illawarra H. by three after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Eighth-ranked Hawks (4-9) used its home court advantage to challenge first ranked United (12-2) in Wollongong on Friday. The visitors from Melbourne managed to secure only three-point victory 105-102. However their fans expected much easier game. Melbourne Utd made 26-of-33 free shots (78.8 percent) during the game. It was a good game for American Milton Doyle (193-1993, college: Loyola, IL) who led his team to a victory with 19 points and 7 assists. The former international guard Chris Goulding (192-1988) contributed with 23 points for the winners. American center Javale McGee (213-1988, college: Nevada) answered with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 12 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) for Illawarra H.Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. United have a solid series of three victories in a row. Melbourne Utd maintains first place with 12-2 record. Illawarra H. lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the ninth position with nine games lost. Melbourne Utd are looking forward to face Perth (#4) at home in the next round. Illawarra H. will have a break next round.
The game in Brisbane supposed to be also worth to mention about. Third ranked Phoenix (9-4) played at the court of 7th ranked Bullets (5-10). Phoenix smashed Bullets 103-76. It was a great evening for the former international center Jordan Hunter (208-1997, college: SMC) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points and 9 rebounds. Owen Foxwell helped adding 11 points and 4 assists. The best for the losing side was New Zealand center Tyrell Harrison (214-1999) with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. SE Melbourne maintains third place with 9-4 record having four points less than leader Melbourne Utd. Brisbane lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with ten games lost. They share it with NZL Breakers. SE Melbourne will play against league's second-placed Adelaide in Findon in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Brisbane will have a break next round.

In the last two games of round 15 Illawarra H. was beaten by Adelaide on the road 97-85. Perth won against Tasmania JJ on its own court 101-95.
The most impressive performance of 15th round was 30 points and 6 assists by Kristian Doolittle of Perth.



Adelaide - Illawarra H. 97-85

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Adelaide 36ers (11-3) beat 8th ranked Hawks (4-9) in Findon 97-85. Adelaide players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. It was a great evening for American guard Bryce Cotton (182-1992, college: Providence, agency: Pensack Sports) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 13 assists. The former international center Isaac Humphries (216-1998, college: Kentucky) helped adding 22 points and 9 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American point guard QJ Peterson (183-1994, college: VMI, agency: JCK Sports Group) with 19 points and 4 assists and international guard William Hickey (194-1999) scored 12 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Adelaide 36ers have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain second place with 11-3 record behind leader Melbourne Utd. Illawarra H. lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the ninth position with nine games lost. Adelaide will play against SE Melbourne (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Illawarra H. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Adelaide: C.Bryce 31+3reb+13ast, H.Isaac 22+9reb, C.Zylan 12+8reb+7ast, C.Flynn 11+2reb, V.Dejan 9+2reb+2ast, W.Isaac 5+2reb+2ast
Illawarra H.: T.Harvey 21+2reb+1ast, Q.Peterson 19+4reb+4ast, J.McGee 12+10reb, W.Hickey 12+7reb+7ast, M.Peatling 6+4reb+1ast, W.Lo Buluk 5+2reb+1ast

Brisbane - SE Melbourne 76-103

The game in Brisbane supposed to be also worth to mention about. Third ranked Phoenix (9-4) played at the court of 7th ranked Bullets (5-10). Phoenix smashed Bullets 103-76. SE Melbourne made 18-of-20 charity shots (90.0 percent) during the game. They also forced 22 Brisbane turnovers. SE Melbourne players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. It was a great evening for the former international center Jordan Hunter (208-1997, college: SMC) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points and 9 rebounds. The former international guard Owen Foxwell (188-2003) helped adding 11 points and 4 assists. The best for the losing side was New Zealand center Tyrell Harrison (214-1999) with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and Canadian forward Jacob Holt (206-2003, college: Sacramento St.) scored 11 points and 9 rebounds. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. SE Melbourne maintains third place with 9-4 record having four points less than leader Melbourne Utd. Brisbane lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with ten games lost. They share it with NZL Breakers. SE Melbourne will play against league's second-placed Adelaide in Findon in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Brisbane will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
SE Melbourne: H.Jordan 24+9reb+2ast, I.Wes 13+4reb+2ast, S.Nathan 13+6ast, G.Angus 11+4reb+2ast, F.Owen 11+4reb+4ast, D.Foster 9+5reb+1ast
Brisbane: T.Harrison 16+8reb+4ast, D.Mathias 12+3reb+1ast, M.Norton 12+3reb+4ast, J.Holt 11+9reb+2ast, A.Ducas 10+4reb+2ast, T.Murray 7+2reb+3ast

Illawarra H. - Melbourne Utd 102-105

Eighth-ranked Hawks (4-9) used its home court advantage to challenge first ranked United (12-2) in Wollongong on Friday. The visitors from Melbourne managed to secure only three-point victory 105-102. However their fans expected much easier game. Melbourne Utd made 26-of-33 free shots (78.8 percent) during the game. It was a good game for American Milton Doyle (193-1993, college: Loyola, IL) who led his team to a victory with 19 points and 7 assists. The former international guard Chris Goulding (192-1988) contributed with 23 points for the winners. American center Javale McGee (213-1988, college: Nevada) answered with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 12 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) and international guard William Hickey (194-1999) added 18 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists in the effort for Illawarra H.Five Melbourne Utd and four Illawarra H. players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. United have a solid series of three victories in a row. Melbourne Utd maintains first place with 12-2 record. Illawarra H. lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the ninth position with nine games lost. Melbourne Utd are looking forward to face Perth (#4) at home in the next round. Illawarra H. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Melbourne Utd: G.Chris 23+1ast, D.Milton 19+2reb+7ast, E.Jesse 14+8reb, D.Finn 13+5reb, K.Tanner 12+5reb+1ast, K.Fabijan 7+3reb+2ast
Illawarra H.: J.McGee 28+12reb+3ast, Q.Peterson 22+1ast, W.Hickey 18+11reb+7ast, T.Harvey 13+4reb+2ast, W.Lo Buluk 9, M.Peatling 6+3reb+1ast

Perth - Tasmania JJ 101-95

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 6th ranked JackJumpers' (5-9) road loss to fifth ranked Wildcats (8-5) in Perth 95-101. Perth shot the lights out from three nailing 13 long-distance shots on high 56.5 percentage. Tasmania JJ was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a great evening for American forward Kristian Doolittle (201-1997, college: Oklahoma, agency: Pensack Sports) who led his team to a victory scoring 30 points and 6 assists. Naturalized South Sudanese center Jo Lual-Acuil (213-1994, college: Baylor) helped adding 19 points and 8 rebounds. Wildcats' coach John Rillie allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was international forward Josh Bannan (208-2001, college: Montana) with 29 points and 9 rebounds and South Sudanese forward Majok Deng (205-1993, college: ULM) produced a double-double by scoring 26 points and 11 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Wildcats have a solid series of three victories in a row. Perth moved-up to fourth place. Tasmania JJ lost sixth consecutive game. Defending champion keeps the sixth position with nine games lost. Perth will play against league's leader Melbourne Utd on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Tasmania JJ will play against Sydney (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Perth: D.Kristian 30+4reb+6ast, D.David 19+3reb+4ast, L.Jo 19+8reb+3ast, W.Dylan 11+3reb, M.Lat 7+3reb, H.Ben 6+3reb+3ast
Tasmania JJ: J.Bannan 29+9reb+2ast, M.Deng 26+11reb+1ast, B.Hamilton 13+2reb+5ast, N.Marshall 12+2reb+1ast, T.Campbell 7+2reb+4ast, B.Ayre 5+3reb+4ast