Perth Wildcats overcame a withering late burst from the Melbourne Tigers to upset the NBL championship favourites by four points at the State Netball Centre tonight.
After dominating most of the match against a strangely out-of-sorts Tigers, the Wildcats led by 15 points early in the fourth quarter before Chris Anstey and Rod Grizzard nearly pulled off a huge escape for the home side.
Instead the Tigers fell just short losing 105-101 – Olympian Shawn Redhage outstanding for the Wildcats with 31 points and 11 rebounds.
Perth led at every break, powering to a 15-point lead at three-quarter time and making the most of a Tigers outfit which coughed up 15 first half turnovers.
The Wildcats defended well throughout, especially in the third quarter as they held the Tigers to just 15 points – that proving the decisive factor in the game.
With Anstey pouring in 12 of his 29 points in the final term, the Tigers lifted and eventually grabbed a two-point lead with just under two minutes remaining on a Grizzard three-point play.
But the Tigers’ chances of a remarkable win evaporated with two missed free-throws to Nathan Crosswell with the home side leading 101-100, before Alex Loughton scored a two on the very next play.
Desperate Wildcats defence then denied Grizzard and Ebi Ere further chances to win the match late on.
The Tigers now have a 3-2 win-loss record, while the Wildcats move to 3-3 with two more away matches to come in the next four days.
The Tigers’ night was soured further with what appeared an eye injury to guard David Barlow, who was hurt in a fourth quarter clash with Perth guard Darnell Hinson.
Wildcats coach Conner Henry paid tribute to the way his side was able to apply relentless pressure to the Tigers all over the court.
Typical was Perth import Isiah Victor’s block on Ere as he drove to score at the death – effectively snuffing out the Tigers’ last chance at winning.
“The gameplan was executed tonight – that was great,” Henry said.
“We have tremendous respect for them as a team. I don’t even know if they’ll lose another game.”
Tigers coach Al Westover felt his side paid the price for an unusually loose start and a dismal third quarter.
“We were a bit lethargic and sloppy – I was surprised we were only down by one point at halftime,” Westover said.
“And things got worse in the third quarter. That’s one of the worst quarters I can recall us having for quite a while. We dug ourselves a big hole.”
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