United stun Hawks in second half

Chris Goulding had four points to three quarters but put up 11 in the fourth as Melbourne United took charge of Game 1 to stun the Illawarra Hawks who had earlier been in control, winning 96-88.

The Hawks were at home in front of 5491 fans at the WIN Entertainment Centre and they produced a dominant first half to still be up 10 at the break.

But Melbourne worked back into the contest holding Illawarra to 14 points in the third quarter. After battling foul trouble in the first half, Goulding fired for United once more with 11 points and a pair of three-point bombs in the fourth.

United outscored the Hawks 53-35 in the second half to take Game 1 on the road having earlier trailed by as much as 11.

The Hawks had things on their terms a lot of the first quarter to be leading 29-26 and led by as much as 11 in the second quarter. They were still on top 53-43 at the half with Sam Froling delivering 12 points and Todd Blanchfield 11 with three triples.

Goulding had just two points and Ian Clark three for a combined 2/10 shooting with Marcus Lee doing a power of work for Melbourne with 12 points and six rebounds.

By three quarter-time it was a three-point ball game before Goulding made his first two threes of the game early in the fourth to put Melbourne in front.

That's where they stayed to go two wins from a championship.

Melbourne held Illawarra to the 35 second half points on 15/41 shooting from the field with 3/17 from three with United winning the rebound battle by 15 including 17 offensive boards for 22 second chance points.

Lee had a massive say in all that finishing with 14 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks while Matthew Dellavedova provided 18 points, seven boards and two assists.

Goulding ended up with 15 points and four assists, and Clark 13 points and four assists with 23 of those 28 points in the second half.

Shea Ili also had 13 points and four assists with Tanner Krebs knocking down three triples.

United coach Dean Vickerman said he had "ultimate trust" that Goulding would find a way to have a say on the contest.

"You know he's going to find a way," Vickerman said.

"If it's not him scoring and two people are doubling him, he's going to get rid of the basketball and share it.

"He's only about winning. It doesn't matter how many he has. And if that helps others get open, he's going to do it.

"We saw in the semi-final series, his ability to go grab a rebound, his ability to dive on the floor - he's going to do all those things that help you win."

It was a tough night for Illawarra's All-First Team back court of Trey Kell III (six points, six rebounds, four assists on 3/11 shooting) and Tyler Harvey (nine points) who combined for just 15 points on 7/21 shooting.

"When you lose a game you're always disappointed with how you played," Hawks coach Justin Tatum said.

"You wish you would have found a way to win, but I don't see it as a setback, just a learning experience."

Froling still top-scored with 16 points and seven rebounds with Davo Hickey contributing 14 points, eight assists and seven boards, Blanchfield 13 points and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk 11 points and two steals.

The Hawks made the perfect start with the first free-throw of the Championship Series from Wani Swaka Lo Buluk and then the first basket from Sam Froling.

Froling soon scored again and Darius Days came on to knock down a three to give the home team the 8-3 edge. Melbourne responded with the next seven points capped by a three ball from Tanner Krebs who came in after Chris Goulding picked up a second foul.

The Hawks took back charge with a three-pointer each from Tyler Harvey and Hyunjung Lee helping the cause before Todd Blanchfield gave them the 29-26 lead by quarter-time.

Blanchfield landed another couple of three balls to start the third frame and Illawarra had all the momentum with the lead out to eight. Then it was 11 with Days hitting a second three of the opening half.

The Hawks retained control the rest of the half and went into the break with things on their terms with the 53-43 advantage on 50 per cent shooting to 41.

United started differently in the second half with Lee out there to start and the visitors scored the opening six points but the Hawks did manage to hold a three-point lead still by three quarter-time despite just the 14 points for the period after 53 in that first half.

Goulding wasn’t going to stay quiet the whole night and his two triples to start the fourth quarter put Melbourne in front for the first time since they were up 13-11.

United remained in control from there and big threes from Clark and Dellavedova, and then free throws from Goulding, Clark and Dellavedova sealed the deal.

Game 2 will be on Wednesday night at Melbourne's John Cain Arena before returning to Wollongong for Game 3 next Sunday afternoon.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES 2025 – GAME 1

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 88 (Froling 16, Hickey 14, Blanchfield 13)

MELBOURNE UNITED 96 (Dellavedova 18, Goulding 15, Lee 14)

Melbourne United lead best-of-5 series 1-0

BOX SCORE