Asa Schuster in Wollongong
The Wollongong Hawks have secured their place in the playoffs following a decisive 94-82 victory over the Melbourne Tigers at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Friday night.
Glen Saville uncorked a vintage performance, carrying his team with a game-high 23 points (10-of-11 shooting) with seven assists and five boards, propelling Wollongong to the post season for the first time since 2006.
Saville was backed superbly by both Tim Behrendorff and Dave Gruber, who each posted 10 points off the bench.
The League's best long-range shooting team converted 12-of-24 from beyond the arc, while only attempting two free-throws in the first three-quarters (four for the game).
The Hawks (15-12) now complete the regular season in Adelaide on Saturday and with a win can finish as high as second place.
Julius Hodge (seven rebounds and four assists) and Daniel Johnson each had 21 points for the Tigers, while Daryl Corletto added 16.
Chris Anstey had a forgettable outing in his final game in Wollongong, registering just three points and three assists in 20 minutes.
With nothing to lose the Tigers opened the game with guns blazing, quickly jumping ahead 7-2, while Wollongong appeared out of sync.
Saville steadied the home side as Wollongong promptly hung a blitzing 9-0 run to skip in front 11-7.
The Hawks led 22-15 after the opening quarter on the back of nine points (4-of-4 shooting) from Saville, while Hodge had eight for the visitors.
Johnson and Corletto combined for 12 points in the second to pace the Tigers, who briefly pulled within one-point (25-26) before the Hawks' bench ignited.
Wollongong built a nine-point buffer (45-36) at the half, powered by handy contributions by Gruber, Behrendorff and Tim Coenraad.
Saville continued to dominate in the third, he opened up a short-lived 14-point lead (54-40) with a triple immediately followed by a steal and breakaway slam.
Michael Rose replied with a three, before Hodge converted four consecutive free-throws to reduce the margin to seven (47-54).
The Hawks used threes by Behrendorff (two), Coenraad and Matt Campbell to lead by as much as 17, eventually up 70-54 with 10 minutes to play.
Saville opened the fourth with a three, and the Hawks soon owned a 20-point buffer when Larry Davidson posted eight sudden points with a tip jam and a pair of threes.
The Tigers (11-15) now finish the regular season on the road against the Gold Coast Blaze on Saturday.
Wollongong Hawks 94 (Saville 23, Davidson 15, Tragardh 12)
Melbourne Tigers 82 (Hodge 21, Johnson 21, Corletto 16)
@ WIN Entertainment Centre, 12/2/2010. Crowd: 4268.