The match went beyond regulation time when Illawarra academy alumni Angus Glover fired off his fifth successful three-pointer from nine attempts when Owen Foxwell managed to scramble a rebound outside the perimeter from his own missed three, prompting the 19th lead change of a thrilling game.
At South East Melbourne's 'Heartland' headquarters at the State Basketball Centre, a 3,200-seater which is used in January whilst John Cain Arena is unavailable for the Australian Open, the third rematch of the 2025-26 season between last year's semi-finalists was played at a frenetic and exhausting pace throughout, with both teams coming out very energetic and looking to immediately lock down their matchups.
They lacked a bit of offensive composure early in the first quarter, resulting in the first basket of the match coming in the third minute, but it didn't take the sides long to make up for lost time even despite South East Melbourne Phoenix shooting poorly from beyond the perimeter.
The crazy first quarter pace contributed to the Phoenix shooting at only 39%, including Jordi Hunter missing four of six attempts and Owen Foxwell three of five.
Phoenix came into the game as the team's best three-point shooters against an oppostion conceding more three-pointers per game (11) than any other side this season, but ended up shooting at under 30% from beyond the arc on an off-night compared with 52% for their opponents.
Neither side had notched up a double-digit lead until the Phoenix held their nerve and came out into overtime with greater coolness and stamina, winning it 18 points to 7 as the Phoenix equalled a franchise record of 124 points.
35-year-old Phoenix captain single-handedly scored 13 points in overtime to cap off the game with a season-best of 37.
The five-minute overtime boiled over when Sobey was floored by Biwali Bayles attempting a layup, with Bayles given an unsportsmanlike conduct infringement having not attempted to play the ball when bumping Sobey chest-to-chest.
Benches were almost cleared in the fallout whilst Sobey and Hawks head coach Justin Tatum and player Will Hickey were all handed technical fouls during a blue that lasted several minutes.
The Phoenix, now on a 6-1 run, are a game clear in second spot with one in hand on rivals Melbourne United.
Reigning champions Illawarra join New Zealand breakers on 8-14 and remain three wins off the pace.