Hawks swoop to stun Tigers
Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks produced an incredible comeback to earn a thrilling 98-97 victory over Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers in the men's State Basketball League on Friday.
The Tigers led by 19 points late in the first quarter and early in the second and led until four minutes remaining, before Ben Purser hit the game-winning shot with 13 seconds left.
Perry Lakes had established its own five point lead with under two minutes left but Willetton fought back to take the lead with just 35 seconds remaining on a Mark Jones two-pointer.
Once Purser put the visitors back in front, Rob Cassir missed the chance to put the Tigers back in front on the final possession and Jones and Ephrem Davis as time expired to allow the Hawks to hold on.
As well as hitting the field goal that earned Perry Lakes its third win from four games and allowed it to climb into the top four, Wildcats development player Purser had a game-high 26 points along with nine rebounds and five assists.
Shane Ross also chipped in 15 points for Perry Lakes, while fellow import Matthew Rosinski chipped in with 14 points and nine assists.
Rob Kampman was Willetton's highest scorer, notching 25 points, but it wasn't enough for his side to avoid its second straight loss which saw it also drop out of the top eight ahead of a tough away trip against Wanneroo on Saturday.
Jones also scored 24 points for the Tigers and Davis had 22 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks.
Earlier, defending women's champion Willetton continued its perfect start to the campaign with an 82-61 crushing of the Hawks.
The Tigers led by as many as 32 points midway through the third quarter after dominating for the bulk of the game before Perry Lakes fought back to add some respectability to the score late in the game.
The win left Willetton as one of four undefeated women's teams - together with Wanneroo, Lakeside and South West - and its 2-0 start faces a huge test at the Wolves on Saturday.
Melissa Marsh had 29 points for the hosts despite playing just 29 minutes, while WNBL teammate Jasmine Hooper (12 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and seven steals) enjoyed a fantastic all-round game.
Tegan Walker had 18 points for the Hawks, who next face Wanneroo a week from Saturday.
Check out Pursers winning shot on YouTube.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photos by Darren Speedie (Vision Inspired Photography) & Helen Theoharakis (Hoop Shots)
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