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AAP
AAP
Justin Chadwick

Goulding to the rescue as United stun NBL Hawks at home

Chris Goulding (right) had a brilliant final quarter to help Melbourne United clinch victory. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

Chris Goulding and Matthew Dellavedova have caught fire late to guide Melbourne United to an upset 96-88 win over Illawarra in game one of the best-of-five NBL grand final series.

Goulding and Dellavedova were off the boil for most of Saturday night's match at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong, with the Hawks leading by 10 points at halftime.

But it was Melbourne who dominated the second half, with their final-quarter display particularly impressive.

Goulding and Dellavedova both nailed two long-range bombs apiece in the final term as the visitors outscored Illawarra 32-21 for the quarter.

Dellavedova finished with 18 points but on wayward 6-of-17 shooting, while Goulding's 10 final-quarter points took him to 15 for the match.

Marcus Lee (14 points, 15 rebounds), Shea Ili (13 points) and Ian Clark (13 points) were also important contributors.

Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman said he had "ultimate trust" that Goulding would rebound from his poor start to the game. 

"You know he's going to find a way," Vickerman said.

"If it's not him scoring and two people are doubling him, he's going to get rid of the basketball and share it. 

"He's only about winning. It doesn't matter how many he has. And if that helps others get open, he's going to do it. 

"We saw in the semi-final series, his ability to go grab a rebound, his ability to dive on the floor - he's going to do all those things that help you win."

Matthew Dellavedova (centre)
Matthew Dellavedova (centre) was pivotal for Melbourne United, with 18 points and seven rebounds. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

For Illawarra, Sam Froling (16 points), Todd Blanchfield (13), Wana Swaka Lo Buluk (11) and Will Hickey (14) were the only ones to hit double figures, with the Hawks scoring just 35 points in the second half. 

Trey Kell finished with just six points on 3-of-11 shooting in a poor display, while Tyler Harvey was held to nine points.

Game two will be held in Melbourne on Wednesday night, with United looking to take a 2-0 lead in the series. 

"When you lose a game you're always disappointed with how you played," Hawks coach Justin Tatum said.

"You wish you would have found a way to win. 

"But I don't see it as a setback, just a learning experience."

Melbourne United had some early headaches on Saturday night.

Goulding picked up his second foul just three minutes into the game, and Dellavedova missed his first four shots.

Marcus Lee.
Marcus Lee was a surprise star for United with 14 points and 15 rebounds. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

United were able to erase an early six-point deficit, but a three-pointer on the buzzer from Blanchfield gave the Hawks a 29-26 lead at quarter-time.

Blanchfield went 8-of-12 from three-point land in Illawarra's game-three semi-final win over South East Melbourne.

The 33-year-old's hot hand continued in the second quarter against Melbourne United, nailing another pair of three-pointers and a spin-away two-pointer as the lead ballooned to 11 points.

Illawarra went into halftime with a 53-43 advantage, despite star guard Kell being held to just two points. 

Melbourne went on a 6-0 run to start the third quarter, and Goulding's 10-point haul in the final term proved pivotal as Melbourne stormed to victory on enemy territory. 

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