The Perth Wildcats withstood a second-half shooting barrage from the Wollongong Hawks to win a 80-68 thriller on Friday night at Perth Arena and move into equal-second place with the Hawks.
The Wildcats' 12-point win was their 13th straight home victory over Wollongong, coming after the Hawks recorded their biggest ever win over the Cats in Wollongong earlier this season to the tune of 33 points.
All eyes were on new import Michael Dunigan (208-C-89, agency: N.E.T., college: Oregon), an injury-replacement for big man Matt Knight, and he set the 11,239 strong crowd inside Perth Arena alight with his dunking, blocking and overall energy.
He finished with 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting, four rebounds and a block from the field to give the Cats a strong inside presence offensively and help change the shots of Wollongong's driving guards.
Jesse Wagstaff was the game-winner for the Wildcats, though, with 20 points and seven rebounds in one of the best performances of his career.
Kevin Lisch (14 points), Shawn Redhage (9 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists) and Damian Martin (4 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 blocks, 2 steals) were also valuable contributors.
Lance Hurdle and Oscar Forman top-scored with 17 points for Wollongong, both hitting four three-pointers each for the night.
Rhys Martin also had a big impact for the Hawks to finish with 13 points and six assists while Adris Deleon had 11 points but shot 5-of-17 from the field.
Wollongong only scored seven points in the first period and were 16 points down in the second, but then Hurdle and Forman caught fire from beyond the three-point arc, often set up by Martin.
On the back of their heroics, the Hawks hit the lead late in the third quarter and again early in the last on the back of two straight Hurdle triples.
But the Dunigan-led Wildcats finished the strongest, riding a key steal and block from Damian Martin to come away with the 12-point victory.
Hawks Power Past The Defending Champs 98-77 - 1 day ago
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The dynamic backcourt of Rotnei Clarke (183-PG-89, college: Butler) and Marvelle Harris (193-G-93) has already proved a winner as the Hawks ran rings around a physical Perth Wildcats side 98-77 on Sunday. The combined 36 points and four assists from the import backcourt does not jump off the page, but they completely dictated pace and found a way around the 'Cats physicality to give their side big buckets at crucial times. Harris (19 points, three assists) and Clarke (17 points) ran the s... [read more]
The dynamic backcourt of Rotnei Clarke (183-PG-89, college: Butler) and Marvelle Harris (193-G-93) has already proved a winner as the Hawks ran rings around a physical Perth Wildcats side 98-77 on Sunday. The combined 36 points and four assists from the import backcourt does not jump off the page, but they completely dictated pace and found a way around the 'Cats physicality to give their side big buckets at crucial times. Harris (19 points, three assists) and Clarke (17 points) ran the show and got good back-up from snipers Cody Ellis (203-F-90, college: St.Louis) (16) and Oscar Forman (205-F-82) (13). Tim Coenraad (201-F/G-85, college: Nova SE) fill the stat sheet with 7 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Perth were out of sync for large parts, getting most of their production from Jameel McKay effort plays around the rim. McKay was by far the 'Cats best with 15 points and 15 boards, backed up by fellow import Jaron Johnson (198-G-92, college: Louisiana Tech) (16 and seven). Harris, McKay and AJ Ogilvy all got the party started with jams in the first three minutes, but the first quarter was a completely one-sided affair. Illawarra ran rings around the defending champions. Two threes and a dunk kick-started things for a hungry Hawks side that did not take a single possession off on either end. The ball was singing through hands no matter who manned the Hawks backcourt and all too often they had the 'Cats a step slow in rotation. It was a treat of early offence, captured in a picture-perfect four-man hot-potato ball swing from corner to corner and finished with a triple. Casey Prather (198-F/G-91, college: Florida) continued to show off the upgraded skill set, but struggled making plays with the ball in his hand as Perth turned it over six times in the first quarter and nine in the half. He was outshone by new Hawk and NBA hopeful Harris, who has proved to be a man completely dedicated to his craft not afraid of the moment. Imports in the Hawks back-court have been quite hit-and-miss over the last few years but coach Rob Beveridge has found a gem in Harris. He has the optimal tools for a Beveridge-coached team: shooting, ball-handling, versatility, physical defence, unwavering work ethic and a fearless attitude. Five different Hawks connected on threes in the first quarter alone as they went into the second up 37-19. Perth's back-up centre Angus Brandt shouldered the burden down low as the 'Cats worked at chipping away at the margin. But the resistance was futile so long as the explosive Clarke-Harris duo was on the court. Perth dominated the entire third term and started to get scoreboard love when Greg Hire came alive for three third-quarter threes, and at one point got the margin back to a single possession. But for every question they asked, the Hawks answered with distance shooting. Ellis shot the Hawks out of immediate danger, while Tim Coenraad, Nick Kay and Rhys Martin kept the margin steady for a cruisy victory. The Hawks took six ABC points from the game, with Perth winning only the third quarter. Courtesy of: publicnow.com
NZ Maori to take on Australian Indigenous Team in Gisbourne, Te Awamutu and Tauranga - 4 days ago
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The National Maori basketball team will be taking on the Apunipima Australian Indigenous Basketball team in a three game trans-Tasman series, starting tomorrow in Gisborne. Game two will be in Te Awamutu and the third in Tauranga. Head of Maori Basketball, Willy Taurima, says the Australians are the favourites due to the team being the defending champions and featuring some players, which will be led by ANBL veteran Tyson Demos(191-G-88). 'It certainly won't be a whitewash. They have a fe... [read more]
The National Maori basketball team will be taking on the Apunipima Australian Indigenous Basketball team in a three game trans-Tasman series, starting tomorrow in Gisborne. Game two will be in Te Awamutu and the third in Tauranga. Head of Maori Basketball, Willy Taurima, says the Australians are the favourites due to the team being the defending champions and featuring some players, which will be led by ANBL veteran Tyson Demos (191-G-88). 'It certainly won't be a whitewash. They have a few stars and we are missing a few guys due their obligations with the Breakers, but we've recruited enough experience to really have a crack at bringing the title back home to New Zealand.' The New Zealand Maori team that's been named boasts two recently retired Tall Blacks, nine NZ NBL current players, and eight former NZ Junior Tall Blacks. Taurima says there is a great rivalry building between the two teams. The last two events were highly competitive, with both nations holding a title each. 'This is the third year in the event's history. The first year was in 2014 when it was a two game series. It resulted in a draw at one win each, but New Zealand Maori won the title on point differential. The second year, in 2015, we lost two games to one. All three of those games went down to the wire, with about five points in it.' This year the event is being taken on the road to towns that Taurima says has a proud Maori representation in their communities. 'We wanted to widen the opportunity for people to see international basketball. And these will be great games with that good old Australian/New Zealand rivalry.' Courtesy of: basketball.org.nz
The Bucks ink Jaleel Roberts, ex Brisbane S. - 4 days ago
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Milwaukee Bucks signed 24-year old center Jaleel Roberts (213-107kg-92, college: NC-Asheville) to a training camp deal. He played last summer at Brisbane Spartans in Australian SEABL-East. In 13 games he had 8.5ppg, 6.0rpg and 1.0bpg. Roberts helped them to win the regular season and make it to the final. The last season he was tested by the Wizards. Roberts has never been drafted by the NBA. He graduated from University of North Carolina - Asheville in 2015 and it will be his second seas... [read more]
Milwaukee Bucks signed 24-year old center Jaleel Roberts (213-107kg-92, college: NC-Asheville) to a training camp deal. He played last summer at Brisbane Spartans in Australian SEABL-East. In 13 games he had 8.5ppg, 6.0rpg and 1.0bpg. Roberts helped them to win the regular season and make it to the final. The last season he was tested by the Wizards. Roberts has never been drafted by the NBA. He graduated from University of North Carolina - Asheville in 2015 and it will be his second season as a professional player.
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