Hawks hopeful of victory against Titans in crucial NBL match

AAP General News (Australia)
12-29-1999
Hawks hopeful of victory against Titans in crucial NBL match

SYDNEY, Dec 29 AAP - The Wollongong Hawks are gunning for a rare Victorian double to
finish 1999 on a high note.

The Hawks surged back into finals contention in the National Basketball League with
an upset 98-85 away win over the Melbourne Tigers on Monday night on the back of a stellar
performance by Olympic aspirant CJ Bruton, who finished with 31 points and eight rebounds.

Hawks' assistant coach Eric Lowe said the victory had given his team plenty of encouragement
for tomorrow night's home game against the second-placed Victoria Titans.

Competition leaders until two weeks ago, the Titans were convincingly beaten on Sunday
by their nemesis and defending champions, the Adelaide 36ers.

"We're coming off a good win against the Melbourne Tigers so I think mentally the boys
are in good spirits and fairly confident," Lowe said.

"We're hopeful of a win, but then the Titans could play like the wounded beast - determined
for a win of their own."

Lowe said Bruton would again play a key role, but the Hawks were dtermined not to rely
too much on their playmaker.

"I don't think we ever rely fully on one player - CJ was in the right places at the
right time in our last game, and he got a fair bit of help from other team members," he
said.

"I think Melvin Thomas is due for a good game and Glen Saville is playing well."

The Hawks last met the Titans in Ballarat on October 20, when they went down 96-73.

Currently in eighth position, the Hawks see a win against the much higher-ranked Titans
as an important step towards securing a place in the final six.

The Titans have lost only three matches this season, but significantly they have been
beaten in their last two games.

Monday's 103-77 thumping by Adelaide saw the Titans knocked off the top of the league ladder.

AAP et/jds

KEYWORD: By Emma Tinkler

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.