In front of 5,833 fans, Casper Ware Jr scored eight points in the final six minutes of the game to turn around a five-point deficit and help push the Kings to a 84-74 round five win against the Kiwis.
Unfortunately the home court advantage wasn’t enough to seal the deal a second time as the Illawarra Hawks took the win 85-82 in round six in front of a crowd of 6,534.
The already undermanned Kings copped a big hit in closing stages of the third quarter when Jarell Martin, who scored 15 points, suffered a leg injury and was forced to sit out the remainder of the game.
While the final quarter saw big plays from both sides, both Jordan Hunter and Tom Vodanovich fouled out early and at one point, the team was down to a six-man rotation.
However Ware once again came up with the big shots when the Kings needed them, shooting 10 points in the last quarter to finish with 21 overall, and while Brad Newley had the chance to send the game into overtime, unfortunately his three-point jump shot rimmed out, giving the Hawks a narrow victory.
