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FOR the second time in their NBL best-of-three semi final series, Illawarra and Melbourne could not settle the issue in regulation but this time Will "Davo" Hickey, Gary Clark, Tyler Harvey and Sam Froling led their Hawks to a home 113-108 overtime win, sending it back to Melbourne for a decider on Wednesday.

Every match of the NBL Playoffs this season has had a standout hero - whether it was Parker Jackson-Cartwright (34 points, 6 assists) eliminating Sydney, Will Magnay (25 points at 71 percent, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks, 2 steals) rocking Illawarra, Justin Robinson hitting 14-of-14 free throws in his season-best 26 points to KO New Zealand, Matthew Dellavedova's 30-point, 10-assist double taking Game 1 from the Hawks, or Keanu Pinder nailing a career-best 5-of-7 threes in a 25-point game that sank Tasmania in Game 1.

Every match has had its hero and Gary Clark, with 31 points and 16 rebounds fits the bill in Illawarra's dramatic 1-1 series leveller against Melbourne.

Except it wasn't him.

Clark was very good all night but the man who delivered and drove the Hawks into a Game 3 in Melbourne was livewire guard "Davo" Hickey.

The young man epitomises everything you love about Illawarra, almost to the point where his basketball home now accurately reflects where he has always belonged - in an environment where neversaydie, bust-your-butt basketball is not only respected and appreciated but cherished. 

It was an absolute gem of a game, Jo Lual-Acuil determined early to not again allow Sam Froling to dominate him but ultimately failing, the Hawks centre with 19 points at 69 percent, 13 rebounds and four assists.

After Melbourne's hot start, the Hawks came flying back and there was never going to be much in it. The third quarter alone featured 14 lead changes as the biggest crowd at Wollongong's WIN Entertainment Centre in 14 years rode every play with their hometown heroes.

Chris Goulding had a chance to put the game out of reach when he had free throws with 13.6 seconds remaining and United up 96-95. But he only made the first, Gary Clark securing the rebound and racing the ball forward.

Spinning and weaving, Clark's pressured shot for the tie missed but Hickey was there, of course, to capture the offensive rebound. He calmly steadied and shot it and as the siren sounded, the score was 97-97.

It was tight in the overtime, neither team racing away as United did in Game 1's extension. Clark put the Hawks up 100-99, Lual-Acuil missed two free throws, Harvey bumping Illawarra's lead to 102-99.

Hickey again for 104-99 and the 'Gong was going off. Luke Travers mustered one free throw but Froling's perfect tip in had Illawarra ahead 106-100 inside the last 90 seconds.

Goulding for three meant the game was still alive, Ian Clark missing a 3-point attempt that would have tied it. Harvey's floater moved the Hawks to 108-103, leading to Goulding missing a three from the top of the key.

Goulding pump-faked his triple attempt but defender Hyunjung Lee wasn't biting, staying upright with his hands straight. That forced Goulding to twist and turn and fling himself around as he shot, playing for a foul call he never deserved and never received.

His subsequent carry-on was more reminiscent of a spoilt child than a seasoned multiple Olympic veteran.

Hickey's free throws made it 111-105 but with 4.4 seconds left, Dellavedova's inbounds pass to Travers was fired straight back and he knocked in a late 3-pointer for 108-111.

Robinson, who really didn't offer much all game, closed it with two free throws, Melbourne left lamenting its 15-of-24 return from the charity stripe.

No doubt United will get a few more trips to the line at home on Wednesday in the series decider. 

NBL Semi Final (1v4) Best-of-3

Game 2: ILLAWARRA HAWKS 113 (Clark 31, Harvey 23, Froling 19, Hickey 18; Clark 16 rebs; Froling 4 assts) d MELBOURNE UNITED 108 (Dellavedova 20, Lual-Acuil 18, Clark 17, Goulding 15, Ili 12, Travers 11; Lual-Acuil, Travers 7 rebs; Dellavedova 8 assts) in overtime {97-97} at WIN Entertainment Centre. Crowd: 5,631

Game 1: MELBOURNE UNITED 115 (Dellavedova 30, Travers 24, Goulding 18, Clark 14, Ili 13; Lual-Acuil 9 rebs; Dellavedova 10 assts) d ILLAWARRA HAWKS 106 (Froling 26, Clark 22, Harvey 15, Lee 12, Swaka Lo Buluk 10; Clark 12 rebs; Robinson 7 assts) in overtime {100-100} at John Cain Arena. Crowd: 8,232

Series tied 1-1