FOR the second time in eight days, Scott Balsar's Illawarra Hawks side have recorded a one-point Waratah League victory.
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Last week, they edged the Newcastle Hunters.
This week, they ground out a tough 89-88 win against the Penrith Panthers at the Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre.
Buoyed by the play of Hawks NBL development player Akoldah Gak, the hosts jumped out to a 26-18 lead at quarter-time.
The second period belonged to Balsar's troops, who won the term by nine points, to go into the main break up 42-41.
That one-point margin remained at three-quarter-time (65-64), as neither side could shake the other.
In the fourth, the lead changed multiple times - with the lead never extending past four points during the whole 10-minute term.
Despite finding themselves down by three points with just under two minutes on the clock, the Hawks scored nine of the final 14 points - including a late clutch three-pointer by Harry Morris, to secure the one-point win.
Morris was the star in the victory, finishing with 37 points, including six bombs from downtown.
Shoalhaven product Kyle Leslie chipped in with 13, as Harrison Matthew and Zachary Ottosson scored 11 and 10 respectively.
The win moves the Hawks into third spot on the division one youth men's ladder with a 6-3 record, just two wins between equal-leaders Bankstown and Central Coast.
Next up for the Hawks, following a weekend off, is a home fixture against North Sydney on Saturday, June 19 - followed by a clash with Hills on the Sunday.
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