The Breakers might be two-time defending ANBL champions but it counted for little in Hamilton tonight when they were beaten 90-84 by Wollongong.
In means the Hawks win the three-game series 2-1.
The Breakers had their chances, leading 71-66 at three-quarter time, but the Hawks finished more strongly to win.
The Breakers were without Tom Abercrombie, who is still recovering from the ankle injury that affected him towards the end of last season, and CJ Bruton also sat out the game with injury.
Corey Webster scored 10 points off the bench in his first game since returning from a drugs ban and his younger brother Tai was also involved.
