Chris Goulding has fired off a season-high seven three-pointers to steer NBL ladder leaders Melbourne United to a 96-84 win over the Illawarra Hawks.
Operating without injured stars Ian Clark (hamstring) and Matthew Dellavedova (concussion) on Sunday, Melbourne suffered a first-half scare when Luke Travers was forced off after a knock to his left knee.
It came as visitors Illawarra surged as much as 10 points clear during a high-scoring first half at John Cain Arena.
But United captain Goulding's hot hand kept the home side in the contest as he drained 21 first-half points, including five three-pointers.
Goulding finished with a personal season-best 33 points as United's tough defence carried them home, restricting Illawarra to 33 points in the second half.
Shea Ili (17 points) and Tanner Krebs (14) also reached double figures for Melbourne (8-1) to secure a result that extended their winning streak to six games.
Goulding took it upon himself to lift the team in the absence of Dellavedova and Clark, who are expected back when Melbourne host the Perth Wildcats on November 6.
"When we're doing film before the game we talk about people stepping up and any time he (Goulding) sees a couple of key guys out, he puts those things on his shoulders," United coach Dean Vickerman said.
"I don't need to push that one too much but let's run him the first play and let's get him going, and he was amazing all night."
Vickerman was also full of praise for "menace" Ariel Hukporti, who retained his spot in Melbourne's starting five ahead of Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.
Next Star Hukporti impressed with seven points and 10 rebounds, including four on the offensive end.
Boom recruit Travers required assessment on his sore knee during the second quarter but returned after half-time, finishing with six points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
Gary Clark (24 points) and Justin Robinson (20) tried to give Illawarra a lift but Tyler Harvey managed just 10 points, three days after his clutch three-pointer sealed a thrilling win over Cairns.
Illawarra coach Jacob Jackomas felt his players lacked hunger - pointing to the fact they were out-rebounded by United 49-24 - and lamented their ill-discipline.
"At stages we lost our minds in that space," Jackomas said.
"That would be the No.1 thing that we're trying to address right now.
"We're maybe a little bit too compassionate and we sort of lose our way."
In a sloppy start, United committed five turnovers in the first period and trailed at quarter-time for the first time this season.
Gary Clark's eight points on perfect shooting led Illawarra to a 29-24 advantage at that point.
His tally swelled to 16 by the main break and the Hawks' lead reached double figures soon after United temporarily lost Travers to injury.
But Goulding caught fire to lead United to a 52-51 at the main break.
Defence was key in the second half as both sides tightened up, with Melbourne holding the visitors to just 15 points in the final period.
