The Perth Wildcats secured a hard-fought victory against the defending champions, the Illawarra Hawks, with a final score of 92-87 on March 15, 2024. The match, held at the RAC Arena, marked the start of a series of home games for the Wildcats in the National Basketball League (NBL). Despite appearing in control for much of the contest, the Wildcats faced a determined Hawks team that made the final moments competitive.
Perth’s advantage was evident throughout the game, particularly at the free-throw line, where they capitalized on opportunities with a total of 37 attempts, compared to Illawarra’s 12. The Wildcats built significant momentum, leading by as much as 14 points in the third quarter. However, the Hawks kept the pressure on, managing to close the gap with four three-pointers in the last minute, bringing them within three points of the Wildcats.
Despite their efforts, Illawarra could not pull ahead, as Perth maintained composure at the free-throw line in the closing seconds. The victory was celebrated in front of 12,507 fans as part of HoopsFest, demonstrating the strong support for the Wildcats.
Key Player Performances
Kristian Doolittle shone for the Wildcats, contributing 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Jo Lual-Acuil Jr added 20 points and seven rebounds. Other notable performances included Ben Henshall with 15 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, and Dylan Windler who recorded 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The Wildcats faced challenges with the absence of guards Jaron Rillie and David Duke Jr. Rillie’s season appears over following hamstring surgery, and Duke Jr’s return remains uncertain due to an elbow injury. Despite these setbacks, the Wildcats have opted not to sign a replacement player, even as the deadline passed on Friday.
On the Hawks’ side, the championship defense is struggling, sitting at 8-16 after their third consecutive loss. They missed the scoring prowess of QJ Peterson, who was sidelined due to illness. Todd Blanchfield was the top scorer for Illawarra, netting 16 points, while Will Hickey contributed 14 points, along with seven assists and five rebounds. Wani Swaka Lo Buluk and Tyler Harvey added 13 and 11 points, respectively.
The Wildcats improved their record to 15-10, positioning themselves closely behind the fourth-placed Melbourne United. As they prepare for more home games, the Wildcats aim to build on this victory and increase their chances for a strong playoff run in the NBL season.
