2026-02-15

Melbourne 91 - 100 Illawarra

Illawarra secured a 100-91 victory over Melbourne, leading at every quarter break before withstanding a late fourth-quarter rally. The Hawks' win was built on superior interior efficiency and glass control, as they shot 52.2% from the field compared to Melbourne's 36.3%. This shooting gap, reflected in Illawarra's 59.7% effective field goal percentage versus Melbourne's 43.8%, allowed the visitors to maintain control despite committing 18 turnovers to Melbourne's 11. Illawarra also dominated the rebounding battle 48-38, limiting second-chance opportunities for the hosts.

JaVale McGee provided a significant impact for Illawarra off the bench, recording 22 points and 13 rebounds on 8-of-12 shooting, slightly exceeding his season averages of 19.4 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Tyler Harvey contributed 18 points and remained perfect from the free-throw line (8-of-8). Melbourne's offense was led by Tyson Walker, who scored a season-high 30 points, a notable increase from his 14.4 points per game average. Milton Doyle added 21 points and 4 steals for United, though his efforts were offset by Melbourne's overall shooting struggles from the floor.

Statistical factors heavily favored Illawarra in the painted area and on the defensive glass, where they recorded 38 defensive rebounds. While Melbourne attempted 13 more shots than Illawarra due to their ability to force turnovers and grab 13 offensive rebounds, their inability to convert at a high rate prevented them from overcoming the double-digit deficit they faced entering the final period. The Hawks' bench also proved vital, outscoring Melbourne's reserves to help solidify the nine-point margin.

Box Score Shooting Lineups