The Sydney Kings scored one of the most remarkable victories in their NBL history with a stunning 88-84 win over Wollongong at The Sandpit.

With the loss of their all-important spot in the top four under serious threat, the Kings stormed home from 16 points down at three-quarter time to steal the win.

It was the second-largest three-quarter-time comeback in club history, eclipsed only by a 20-point effort in 2004, and all the more remarkable given how Sydney had been dominated to that point.

The Kings went back to what they know best as their defence sky rocketed several notches as the fourth quarter began and the Hawks composure wilted.

Sydney held Wollongong to just eight points in the final quarter, but it was ultimately the efforts of the backcourt of Luke Kendall and Ed Scott that proved decisive.

Kendall and Scott combined for 17 points in the final term, continually producing brilliant plays that kept inspiring their teammates.

Scott was the four-quarter stand-out for Sydney, keeping it in the contest when things looked their bleakest, finishing with 21 points and five assists.

Wollongong started the game full of intent, racing out to a 13-4 lead after just two minutes and forcing a time-out from a worried Sydney outfit.

It had every reason to be concerned as the Hawks pushed out to a 13-point lead before going into the first break up 28-20.

The Hawks powered away in the second quarter, establishing their biggest lead with the last points of the half, going into halftime up 57-39.

Sydney responded as soon as it came out of the changerooms, starting with a 9-0 run that was only stopped by an Adam Ballinger jumper after four minutes.

It was the start of another good period for the Hawks, giving them a 76-60 advantage with a quarter to play.

Wollongong stalled completely at the start of the fourth quarter, giving up a 19-2 run that put Sydney in front for the first time in the game with seven minutes to play.

It was to be first of seven lead changes in the final quarter before Ballinger put a bizarre exclamation point on the Hawks' collapse.

With 38 seconds remaining and the Hawks trailing by one, Ballinger inexplicably passed the ball directly to Kings coach Brian Goorjian on the sideline to seal their fate.

Kendall came alive in the last quarter to finish with 17 points, while Mark Worthington also added 17 for the Kings.

Ballinger did not deserve to be on the losing team as he was clearly the best player on the court all night, finishing with 25 points on brilliant 10-of-12 shooting, with eight rebounds added to a superb defensive effort.

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