The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles secured a hard-fought 82–77 victory over the Illawarra Hawks Waratah in an NBL1 Eastern clash on June 20, 2026. Playing on home court, the Sea Eagles weathered a fierce second-half comeback from the visitors to claim a five-point win that keeps them in the upper half of the standings.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, Manly Warringah set a brisk pace, using sharp ball movement to carve open the Illawarra defense. The home side built a double-digit lead by halftime, only to see the Hawks Waratah storm back in the third quarter with a 28–18 run. However, the Sea Eagles tightened their defense in the final period, holding Illawarra to just 15 points while scoring 20 themselves to close out the 82–77 victory.

Key Moments

• First-half dominance: Manly Warringah shot over 50% from the field in the first two quarters, establishing a 44–33 lead at the break.
• Third-quarter surge: Illawarra Hawks Waratah opened the second half with an 8–0 run, eventually tying the game at 62–62 late in the period before a late basket gave the Sea Eagles a two-point edge heading into the fourth.
• Fourth-quarter composure: With the score locked at 73–73 with under four minutes to play, Manly Warringah scored nine of the next 13 points, including a clutch three-pointer from the wing to seal the result.

Standout Performers

The Sea Eagles were led by their starting backcourt, which combined for 45 points and 12 assists. Forward play was also decisive, as Manly Warringah’s frontcourt grabbed 14 offensive rebounds, generating second-chance opportunities that proved crucial in the tight finish. For Illawarra, the Hawks Waratah’s leading scorer poured in 26 points on efficient shooting, but received insufficient support from the rest of the roster.

Season Impact

The victory moves Manly Warringah to a 10–4 record in the NBL1 Eastern conference, keeping them within striking distance of the top two seeds. Illawarra Hawks Waratah, now 8–6, will rue the missed opportunity to climb the ladder. Both teams return to action next weekend, with the Sea Eagles looking to extend their winning streak on the road.