Who was in the crowd when the Hawks shocked top-of-ladder United
The Illawarra Hawks soared to a commanding 107-93 home victory over Melbourne United in their Round 7 Ignite Cup clash, delivering another heavy defeat to the top-placed visitors.
More than just on-court excitement, fans were visibly engaged, some even caught in the heat of the moment from their seats. You might spot yourself in the picture gallery below.
Hawks Return to Winning Form
The Hawks reclaimed victory at the WIN Entertainment Centre, avenging their earlier loss and adding to Melbourne United's challenges. The win came just over seven months after Illawarra secured their second NBL title by defeating United in Game 5 at the same venue.
Though the crowd of around three thousand was smaller than during the Championship Series decider, the atmosphere remained electric as Justin Tatum's team secured a vital win, keeping their title defense alive.
Melbourne United's Recent Struggles at WEC
United arrived in Wollongong as the hottest team in the league, having lost only one of their first ten games in NBL26. However, their previous visit to the WIN Entertainment Centre in March ended in disappointment with a Game 5 loss that handed Illawarra their second NBL championship in 47 years.
Round 8 Unite Cup Highlights
In the Round 8 Unite Cup fixture, the Hawks led from start to finish, ending a two-game losing streak and improving their record to 3-6 heading into a Friday night clash against Cairns Taipans.
"The crowd wasn't as big as the Championship Series Game 5 decider, but the three thousand in the house were just as boisterous as Justin Tatum's team clinched a crucial win against the league leaders to keep their title defence alive."
Author's summary: The Illawarra Hawks crushed top-ranked Melbourne United 107-93 at home, reigniting their season and thrilling 3,000 fans with a confident, dominant performance.
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