a rebuilding year.Matt Thomas, who stepped into Mitrou-Longs starting role, blossomed into an all-around threat with the ext

The Illawarra Hawks have held their nerve to secure a tight 81-76 victory over NBL titleholders Perth on Friday at WIN Entertainment Centre.After winning in round one against Adelaide, the Hawks lost four straight before grinding out the much-needed win over the Wildcats.Illawarra import Marvelle Harris was the best player on the court with a game-high 27 points, while Perth were led by American forward Casey Prathers 20 points.The score was locked at 24-all at quarter-time before the Hawks clawed their way to a 47-45 halftime lead with American centre Mike Holyfields dunk in the final moments of the second period.Illawarra were up by five at three-quarter time and were up by as many as 10 before the Cats fought back in the final period.The Hawks made it hard on themselves by missing important free throws but did enough to seal victory.Illawarra play their fourth game in nine days when they host the Cairns Taipans on Sunday night.Perth are back on deck with next Fridays round five home game against the Adelaide 36ers.Tonight really showed that were evolving as a group, that we can grind out those kinds of wins, so theres good progression for us there, Illawarra coach Rob Beveridge said.There was enormous amount of external pressure put on the guys and we addressed certain things this week with a few home truths. The guys were great. They all stood up and showed their character.I just came out being aggressive and got back to the way I play, Hawks import Marvelle Harris said.The guys told me to play my game and had confidence in me, and that always helps.You can make all the excuses about injuries and whatever else but we had our opportunities and didnt make some open looks in the fourth quarter, Perth coach Trevor Gleeson said.We had our chances and we didnt execute in the fourth quarter,Wildcats forward Shawn Redhage said.Well learn from this and the adversity we faced this week will help us down the line.Buy Shoes Ireland . Reigning world champion Eve Muirhead of Scotland opened with a 12-2 rout of Winnipegs Jennifer Jones in a battle of teams bound for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Fake Shoes Ireland . LOUIS -- Alexander Steen scored a power-play goal with 59. https://www.shoesirelandsale.com/ . - Blake Griffin had 30 points and 12 rebounds, J. Discount Shoes Ireland . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose. Cheap Shoes Ireland Online . DAmigo scored twice in regulation and added the shootout winner as the Toronto Marlies edged the San Antonio Rampage 5-4 in American Hockey League action.AMES, Iowa -- Last season was supposed to be one of the best that Iowa State had ever had until shooting guard Naz Mitrou-Longs hips gave out.Back for a fifth and final season, Mitrou-Long is hoping to help make 2016-17 a year to remember for the talented Cyclones.Mitrou-Long, who averaged 12 points in eight games last season before the pain from offseason hip surgery became overwhelming, received a medical redshirt to return in the offseason. One of the Big 12s biggest 3-point threats, he will team up with point guard Monte Morris, the leagues preseason player of the year, to form what should be one of the nations top backcourts.Iowa State, which reached the Sweet Sixteen in 2015-16, opens its season against Savannah State on Nov. 11.Hes healthy as hes ever been. His work ethic is unbelievable, coach Steve Prohm said of Mitrou-Long. His maturity level is off the charts, and his leadership ability is as good as anyone Ive ever been around.Mitrou-Long had dealt with persistent discomfort as a junior, but he started all but one game and averaged 10.1 points with a team-high 77 3-pointers.In the spring of 2015, Mitrou-Long has surgery to repair torn labrums in both hips. He was expected to be fully healthy by the start of last season, and early in the season it looked like he was. Mitrou-Long scored in double figures in six of those eight games, including a 24-point outburst against Chattanooga that included six 3s.But the pain wouldnt go away.Concerned that the issue would plague him all season -- and aware that highly-touted transfer Deonte Burton was set to become eligible around the same time Mitrou-Longs window to apply for a redshirt was set to expire -- he decided to shut it down.It was extremely tough just to sit there and not help the team. Ultimately, I want to win, Mitrou-Long said. Plain and simple,, it sucked.dddddddddddd But ultimately, if I would have kept playing, I dont know if I could have helped the guys like they needed me to. I just wasnt feeling right.At the time, it seemed as though Iowa State could compensate for the loss of Mitrou-Long. But the Cyclones rotation was winnowed to roughly just six players by the time league play rolled around, and Mitrou-Longs leadership might have been missed as much as his production.Everyone missed him, Morris said. Hes the type of player that hed come up to me and say, `Im going to make my next three shots. Just find me.Morris, who flirted with entering the NBA draft, should be able to team with Mitrou-Long and help the Cyclones avoid a rebuilding year.Matt Thomas, who stepped into Mitrou-Longs starting role, blossomed into an all-around threat with the extra playing time. In addition to becoming one of the leagues top rebounding guards, Thomas more than doubled his previous career high with 11 points a game.Morris will likely assume more of a scoring role this season, which could open the floor for Mitrou-Long than do more than just stand in the corner looking for an open 3 like he did so often in the past.I think Im going to be able to be that guy thats just going to help everybody mesh, Mitrou-Long said. Whatever it takes to win. Take charges. Play great defense. Anything Ive got to do.Prohm hinted Wednesday that Long will be asked to be more versatile on offense, including playing some at the point to free up Morris for more scoring opportunities.When I took the job you probably thought that those guys would be gone. Theyre back. Thats huge for us, said Prohm, now in his second season.---Online: www.collegebasketball.ap.org ' ' '