McGee denied as United hold out Hawks

JaVale McGee was denied a stunning halfcourt prayer by a split second that would have forced overtime but in the end Chris Goulding's five triples and 23 points was key to Melbourne United's thrilling 105-102 win over the Illawarra Hawks.

McGee, who was dominant inside with 28 points and 11 rebounds, at Wollongong's WIN Entertainment Centre on Friday night, celebrated wildly with his teammates, before his incredible heave was waived on video review.

The big man shook off a 4/18 shooting night in Adelaide on Wednesday to put in a second straight huge effort against Melbourne after having 37 points and 14 rebounds in the last meeting.

He then thought he was the hero to get the game to overtime in front of the home fans on Friday night, but the review showed his shot came just after time expired for Melbourne to hold on and win by three to maintain top spot.

Goulding enjoyed his return to a venue where they love to hate him and knocked down 5/8 of his three-point attempts as the United captain finished with 23 points.

His back court partner Milton Doyle also had 19 points and seven assists with Tyson Walker hindered by foul trouble for just seven points and three steals in the absence of Shea Ili.

Jesse Edwards had his hands full with McGee but still contributed 14 points and eight rebounds with Finn Delany continuing his fine form for Melbourne with another 13 points and five rebounds while Tanner Krebs chimed in with four triples and 12 points.

Along with McGee's 28 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks on 10/12 shooting from the field and 7/11 at the line, QJ Peterson had 22 points with 4/6 three-pointers for Illawarra with Davo Hickey adding 18 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, and Tyler Harvey 13 points.

A seesawing fourth quarter finished in pulsating fashion, Hickey's tip-in giving the Hawks a 102-101 buffer with 29 seconds remaining, before Delany buried a corner triple with 17.5 seconds on the clock to restore Melbourne's lead, 104-102.

Harvey's late three-point attempt rattled out, McGee couldn't quite tip it in, and United centre Edwards snared the rebound before being fouled.

He hit 1/2 at the stripe, setting the stage for McGee near-miracle.

Melbourne led 38-33 at the end of a frenetic, fast-paced opening term before being shut down to start the second.

United managed just one score in the first five minutes of the quarter as Illawarra edged ahead 43-40.

Goulding sparked Melbourne out of their malaise, draining three successive threes in the space of 75 seconds, ripping control back the way of the visitors, who led 58-52 at half-time.

McGee and Harvey combined to trim the margin to 86-83 at the final change, before Peterson lit up the fourth with sublime shot-making as the Hawks came within milliseconds of forcing overtime against the ladder leaders.

The game is the last until after the FIBA break for the Hawks who will be back in action when they host the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Thursday December 4.

United have one more game to go before the break and that will be at home on Sunday when they face their former big man, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr, for the first time against the Perth Wildcats.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 102 (McGee 28, Peterson 22, Hickey 18)

MELBOURNE UNITED 105 (Goulding 23, Doyle 19, Edwards 14)

BOX SCORE