After 25 attempts the Illawarra Hawks have finally recorded their first ever win in Perth, defeating the Wildcats 89-85 on Sunday night.
Final score
Perth Wildcats 85
Illawarra Hawks 89
Round 8 NBL action continues on Sunday night when the Perth Wildcats host the travelling Illawarra Hawks. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the game, starting from 7pm (AEDT).
Both teams head into Sunday’s game looking to gain some momentum, not only for their seasons but also in their head to head history. Perth took the win in Round 3 this year 80–73, however the Hawks got their revenge just one week later with an 81–76 victory.
Casey Prather poured in 24 points in the Wildcats win and then went shot for shot with Marvel Harris in the Round 4 loss. Prather scored 20 points while Harris starred for the Hawks with 27 points of his own.
Round 7 saw the Hawks face the New Zealand Breakers both at home and away. Losing the away leg 100–85, Illawarra regrouped to post a 109–78 demolishing of the visitors. Six Hawks scored in double figures in that game with Rotnei Clarke topping the list with 22 off the bench.
For Perth, Round 7 also saw a home win and a road loss against the Sydney Kings. In their 93 – 80 win, the Wildcats were again led by Prather with 28 as Brad Newley (34) and Kevin Lisch (21) were the only Kings players to score more than six points.
The return fixture saw the Kings triumphant 83 – 72. Newley and Lisch top scored again with 18 points each, while the Hawks struggled to put the ball in the ring highlighted by Prather’s 6/17 shooting night.
A win for Perth will see them close the gap to the Sydney Kings after the ladder leader’s shock loss to Melbourne United on Saturday night. On the other hand, if Illawarra can pull off the upset, they’ll jump into the top four in the constant shuffle that is the 2016-17 NBL ladder.
This game will be a battle! Facing Perth in their home arena is probably the hardest trip to make for teams on the east coast. The Hawks will look to spread the load and make the most of star Wildcat Damian Martin missing another game. Perth’s experience and home court advantage will prove the difference in the end and they’ll post their 7th win for the year.
Prediction
Perth Wildcats by 7 points.
Bev. Johnson
Guest
Huge 3 by DAMIAN martin NOT PLAYING AT ALL MUST MEAN RHYS RHYS RHYS MARTIN!
jamesb
Guest
Well done Illawarra Hawks.
Scott Pryde
Expert
I legitimately give up trying to figure out this league.
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Illawarra fought back from an early double digit deficit and continued the wild results that we've seen in round 8 so far. Can the Adelaide 36ers do the same when they take on the Sydney Kings tomorrow night? That's all we have for you from the Perth Arena. I'm Phil Raymond, thanks for joining me for tonight's game. Make sure you keep it locked to The Roar for coverage of all the NBL action. Goodnight
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
STAT LEADERS WILDCATS Prather 18 pts, 9 assists Knight 17 pts Wagstaff 17 pts HAWKS Clarke 20 pts Coenraad 18 pts Ogilvy 12 pts, 8 rebounds
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
FINAL SCORES WILDCATS 85 HAWKS 89 That was Illawarra's first win in Perth in 25 attempts. How good is NBL basketball in 2016!!
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
You could hear a pic drop in the Perth Arena! The crowd is stunned and the Hawks are loving it!
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Q4 0' The inbounds play gets to Knight and he's fouled by Coenraad who fouls out. 1/2 and Martin is fouled and walks to the other end looking to seal the result. He misses the first... and the second! HAWKS WIN!!
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Q4 0' After the timeout, Kay is fouled and goes to the free throw line. No good on the first, swishes the second. Five point game! TIMEOUT WILDCATS Wildcats 84 - 89 Hawks
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Q4 0' Trevor Gleeson gets in an argument with the ref as to where he should stand. Coenraad misses for 3. Huge defensive play by Kay, he draws the offensive foul. Replays show he may have been inside the restricted zone.
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Q4 1' Prather is fouled and drops in both from the line. Knight strips Coenraad but Prather can't find the basket. Kay stayed in the lane too long and is called for the rare violation. Knight makes an illegal screen. Wildcats 84 - 88 Hawks
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Q4 2' This game is tightening up and so are the players. Except Damian Martin... HUGE 3!! Wildcats 82 - 88 Hawks
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Q4 4' Prather fires the pass to Knight who cuts the lead to 6. Active hands from the Wildcats and they get the ball back. Wagstaff goes long and strong for yet another 3. Clarke whistled for the travel. Wildcats ball Wildcats 82 - 85 Hawks
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Q4 6' Ogilvy misses inside and then Johnson makes the acrobatic move. Coenraad decides to shoot inside the line as well as outside, he adds 2 more. Prather puts in 2 but Norton hits straight back with the drive. Wagstaff nails a 3 and Kay says "I can do that too!" TIMEOUT Wildcats 77 Hawks 85
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Q4 7' Ogilvy with the steal but he throws it away. Norton shuffles his feet and is pinged with the travel call.
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Q4 8' Brandt is pushed by Foreman and goes to the line where he's only 58%. He swishes the first and the second. Turnover at the other end. TIMEOUT
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Q4 10' Kay continues to run the floor like a guard. He's fouled by Prather and knocks down both free throws. Prather scores at the other end, but Clarke nails another massive 3. Wagstaff drives around Ogilvy, is bumped and puts it in. He adds the extra. Wildcats 68 - 78 Hawks
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Since the opening few minutes of this game, Perth haven't been able to get this game on their terms. Illawarra have controlled the second and third quarters. Time to finish the job and kill the curse!
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Q3 0' Clarke is hammered on the fast break and the unsportsmanlike foul is called on Wroe. Clarke hits both freebies and Kay rolls home a nice lay in. If Coenraad is hot, Kernich-Drew is ice cold! He airballs a 3 and Clarke finds Martin for the fast break 2 before the siren. QUARTER END WILDCATS 63 HAWKS 73
Phil Raymond
Roar Guru
Q3 2' Wagstaff can't add the extra from the line. Holyfield is called for a travel for the second possession in a row. Wagstaff is dragging the Wildcats back into it, he rattles down a 3 before Clarke finds his range with a 3 of his own. Wildcats 63 - 67 Hawks