Odigie made several key stops on Wollongong import Kevin Tiggs, then the NBL's leading scorer Chris Goulding willed the Tigers to a scrappy 81-76 win over the Hawks.

While Goulding's performance (29 points, 12 rebounds) will capture plenty of attention, Odigie's vital stint in the final quarter re-energised the Tigers, forcing Tiggs into making several turnovers after he had troubled the home side in the third term.

Despite being without centre Larry Davidson, the Hawks still kept at the Tigers with a long three-pointer from import Rotnei Clarke (17 points) tying the scores 72-72 with three minutes, 20 seconds left in the match.

Enter Goulding and Mark Worthington (20 points) who made key plays in the final minutes.

Goulding's drive and audacious over-the-shoulder pass found centre Scott Morrison for a dunk to give the Tigers a decisive 78-74 lead with just 1:50 remaining.

Tigers coach Chris Anstey praised his players for backing up from a tough loss to Adelaide on Friday night.

Forward Lucas Walker and point guard Nate Tomlinson were hit with stomach bugs after Friday's game with Walker not playing and Tomlinson playing reduced minutes.

''This was a game we had to win; if we lost we would be bottom, if we won we would be in the top four,'' Anstey said.

''We talked about needing someone to step up and do something special.

''I thought Goulding's offensive rebounds in the first half got us going - getting 12 rebounds from your shooting guard is not something you expect.''