The hosts at the Snakepit made a strong start to the Waratah League division one match, thanks to five first-quarter points by both Brandon Freire and Shoalhaven product Kyle Leslie - seeing the Hawks lead 19-15 at quarter-time.

Balsar's troops stepped it up a notch in the second, as they outscored their opponents by five points, including a late two-pointer to Zachary Ottosson, to go into the main break up by nine (41-32).

Read more: Ridley headlines Illawarriors side for NSW country champs campaign

The red and whites held that lead until late in the third term when Hunters' Henry Johnson nailed a three-pointer, to cut the hosts' advantage to just four - making it a two-possession game going into the final period.

The fourth quarter became a grinding affair, with the lead changing hands multiple times.

With 3.54 left on the clock and after back-to-back baskets by Jai Smith, the visitors led 74-73 and had the momentum.

Read more: Tigers' offensive explosion seals important home victory against Hunters

But the Hawks managed to hold their nerves and hit two massive three-pointers, from Aaron Puljic and Harry Morris, to get them home by one point and seal their third straight victory.

In the win, which moves the Hawks to 5-3 on the season, Morris top-scored with 27 points, as Freire (16), Harrison Matthew (12) and Ottosson (10) all reached double-figures.

Next up for the third-placed Hawks, who sit just two wins behind first placed Bankstown, is a trip to Penrith to face the 4-3 Panthers - with the fixture tipping off at 4.30pm Saturday.

We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.