Wollongong centre Tony Rampton showed no sympathy for his countrymen as the Hawks scored a 98-95 victory over New Zealand Breakers at The Sandpit on Monday night.

Playing their third game in five days, the Hawks made it three from three to continue their climb up the ladder after a slow start to the NBL season.

The Hawks Kiwi centre spent his offseason playing for his country at the world championship, but there was no loyalty to the New Zealand club as he took the Breakers apart at both ends of the court.

Rampton was a second-half star for Wollongong, scoring 14 of his 20 points after the break and adding 12 rebounds as he dominated the battle in the paint.

New Zealand took early advantage of the weary legs of Wollongong in the opening minutes, racing out to an 11-5 lead.

After controlling play for much of the quarter and only finding themselves behind once, the Breakers had every right to be surprised to be only leading 23-20 at the first break.

New Zealand's lead evaporated instantly at the start of the second quarter and, when Wollongong opened up a six-point lead, it appeared they were about to take control.

With Breakers' imports Brian Wethers and Carlos Powell hitting eight apiece, New Zealand fought back strongly and it took a late three-pointer from Wollongong's Matt Campbell to tie the game at 49-49 at the half.

Wollongong made a move straight away in the third quarter, putting on an 11-0 run that menacingly threatened to blow the game wide open.

Just as the Hawks would have felt comfortable, Wethers nailed consecutive threes that swung the contest back to the arm wrestle it had been from the start.

A buzzer beating tip in from Glen Saville gave Wollongong a 74-68 lead with one quarter to play, but they were far from secure.

New Zealand captain Paul Henare buried a three to open the quarter and reduce the margin to three, but the game was effectively won and lost over the next six minutes.

The Hawks could only manage eight points, but their defence was superb to allow the Breakers just two to open up an 82-73 lead, which proved to be just the cushion they needed.

Full court pressure from the Breakers as the clock wound down got them within four points, but time ran out on the visitors.

Adam Ballinger was the focal point for the Hawks offence, top scoring with 29, while Cortez Groves hit 17 in one of his off shooting nights, but managed to dish out 11 assists.

Powell was unstoppable for New Zealand, hitting a game high 35 points to go with 11 rebounds, while Wethers hit 23, but fouled out with five minutes to play, effectively ending the Breakers hopes of victory.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP