Hawks stay hot with thriller against Tigers
Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks overturned a seven-point deficit with just four minutes left to record a 95-93 road victory over Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers in the men's State Basketball League on Friday.
The Hawks held a 17-point lead during the second quarter but Willetton gradually chipped away and took the lead early in the fourth, before the visitors scored 10 of the game's last 11 points to register their fourth straight win and strengthen their title credentials.
Despite Perry Lakes' strong finish, Travis Moore and Rob Cassir both missed shots which would have given the Tigers the lead in the final 30 seconds.
And Willetton had another chance when they had the ball with six seconds left, but Adam Nener lost possession in the key to ensure his side's three-game winning streak ended.
Anthony Lee starred for the Hawks with 37 points, including a pair of crucial three-pointers in the final four minutes, in the fourth straight game where they trailed in the final quarter but came back to win.
Lee was only outdone by Rob Kampman, who had 39 points for a Willetton side missing Wildcats centre Matt Knight, but it wasn't enough to prevent the defending champions falling to a 7-6 record.
Hawks coach Dion Dagostino said it was relieving to win even though his team made several mistakes at crucial times.
"That was one where we probably snuck that through," he said.
"It would have been nice to win by a bit more, but it was still an awesome win and it was nice to get away with it."
"But we still know we've got a lot to learn, we're still not looking as good as we want to."
The Hawks must back up against fellow championship contenders Cockburn on Saturday, while Willetton next faces the Slammers.
Meanwhile, Willetton's women consolidated their position as title favourites with an 81-66 win against the Hawks.
The Tigers led by just six in the top-of-the-table clash at half-time but blew that lead out to 19 late in the third quarter and cruised home for their 11th win out of 12 matches from there.
Melissa Marsh had a game-high 21 points and Jasmine Hooper added 18 for the Tigers, who bounced back in style after East Perth handed them their first loss of the season last week.
Gabriella Clayton had 13 points for the second placed Hawks, but it wasn't enough to extend their seven-game winning streak.
Article by Jacob Kagi at Willetton Basketball Stadium
Photo by Marg Prior
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