Chris Goulding has marked his 400th national league appearance with a trademark display of clutch long-range shooting as Melbourne United held off the fast-finishing Illawarra Hawks to record a vital 88-77 victory.
United's inspirational captain came to the fore on Sunday at John Cain Arena by knocking down three of his six three-pointers in the final quarter after the Hawks threatened an unlikely comeback win.
Goulding's 25-point haul ensured a third victory in the last four games for Melbourne as they improved to 8-11 this season and fuelled hope of qualifying for the finals for the sixth successive year.
There was plenty of incentive for United to perform as they were not only fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive but celebrating major milestones for NBL veterans Goulding (400 NBL games) and Brad Newley (300 NBL games).
But Goulding was more focused on the significance of Newley's achievements, the 37-year-old having also racked up hundreds of games during his time playing in Greece, Turkey, Lithuania and Spain.
"I think in the future it'll be cool - we look at the photos, look at the videos, whatever it may be. My message all throughout this was what I want is a win and I want Brad and his career to be celebrated," Goulding said.
"We were trying to calculate it ... there's 700-plus games of high-level basketball in that whole body so I think I really wanted today to be for him and his kids and his family that were here."
Mason Peatling celebrated his return to the starting line-up with his best game of the season (19 points, 11 rebounds) while Isaac Humphries compiled 13 points and six rebounds in his match-up against Hawks big man Sam Froling.
United looked comfortable throughout the first half as they edged ahead 46-37 at the main break and they maintained their nine-point advantage with less than two minutes to play in the third quarter.
But Illawarra scored the final seven points of the term and took that momentum into the fourth quarter, a 6-0 start allowing the visitors to hit the front for the first time.
Goulding quickly intervened with a pair of three-pointers to give United breathing space before drilling his third triple of the final quarter to push Melbourne's lead back into double digits with just more than two minutes remaining.
"I just think it's the little things right now, obviously. We've had some games where we haven't been in it and now the last three we've been in it; it's just finding a way to win," Illawarra coach Jacob Jacomas said after the Hawks fell short of their third win of the season.
