The Perth Wildcats secured a hard-fought 92-87 victory against the defending champions, the Illawarra Hawks, on Friday night at their home venue, RAC Arena. The match marked the beginning of a crucial run of home games for the Wildcats in the National Basketball League (NBL). Despite appearing to have control for much of the contest, the Wildcats faced a determined Hawks squad that surged back in the final moments.
From the outset, the Wildcats established dominance, earning 37 free throws compared to the Hawks’ 12. Early foul trouble for the Hawks, particularly for players Tyler Harvey, Jackson Ball, and Will Hickey, set the tone for the game. The Hawks struggled to keep pace, trailing for most of the night.
As the game progressed, the Wildcats pushed their lead to as much as 14 points in the third quarter. However, the Hawks remained resilient, with late three-pointers from Hickey, Todd Blanchfield, and Johny Narkle narrowing the gap to just three points in the closing moments. The Wildcats managed to clinch the win by converting important free throws in the final seconds, much to the delight of the 12,507 fans in attendance as part of HoopsFest.
The victory was particularly significant given the absence of key players for Perth. Guards Jaron Rillie and David Duke Jr were sidelined, with Rillie’s season likely over due to hamstring surgery. Duke Jr’s return remains uncertain due to an elbow injury. Despite these challenges, the Wildcats chose not to sign a temporary replacement before the deadline.
Strong Performances Fuel Wildcats’ Victory
Standout performances from the Wildcats propelled them to victory. Kristian Doolittle was instrumental, contributing 21 points and 11 rebounds. Jo Lual-Acuil Jr added 20 points and seven boards, while Ben Henshall delivered a solid performance with 15 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Additionally, Dylan Windler recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
On the other side, the Hawks are struggling to find their footing this season. With a record of 8-16 following this loss, they sit in eighth place and have now suffered three consecutive defeats. The squad notably missed the offensive capabilities of QJ Peterson, who was unwell during the game. Sam Froling and JaVale McGee had limited contributions, scoring six and eight points, respectively. Blanchfield led the Hawks with 16 points, while Hickey added 14 points alongside seven assists and five rebounds.
As the Wildcats improve to 15-10, they remain in close pursuit of the fourth-placed Melbourne United, with six of their final eight games scheduled to be played at home. The upcoming matches will be pivotal as they seek to secure a favorable position heading into the playoffs.
This thrilling matchup showcased not only the competitive spirit of both teams but also the resilience of the Wildcats as they continue their pursuit of championship glory in the NBL.
