A SECOND half eruption from forward Kristian Doolittle sparked the Perth Wildcats to a postseason-clinching win over the Illawarra Hawks in the National Basketball League (NBL) over the weekend, getting the job done by seven points.

The Wildcats travelled for the first time since January 4 to take on the reigning champions at WIN Entertainment Centre on Saturday night, and were coming up against an Illawarra outfit that was fighting to keep its season alive after a loss at the hands of the Sydney Kings earlier in the round. On the other hand, a win for Perth would lock in some postseason action for the team from out west.

Despite trailing by double-digits just before half-time, the Wildcats were able to claw their way back into the contest in the final half, as Doolittle got going to lead Perth to a gutsy seven-point win on the road, confirming the team will still be in action beyond the final round of the regular season.

Illawarra Hawks (99) def. by Perth Wildcats (106)

Although the final score reads differently, the first half largely belonged to the Hawks, who looked firmly in control throughout the course of the opening 20 minutes. The home side looked to play with pace, and although the Wildcats attempted to match that tempo in the first five minutes, seven unanswered points to close out the opening term saw Illawarra gain some breathing space.

The Hawks’ lead ballooned out to as much as 13 points in the second period, and it looked as if the race for sixth spot was going to heat up following an impressive win over Perth. However, the final minutes of the half belonged to the Wildcats, as the visitors managed to steady the ship and take some momentum into the main change.

The Wildcats then scored the first seven points of the third quarter to tie up the match and put the pressure back on the Hawks for the first time. Doolittle was becoming a huge factor in the contest, getting off the chain after a quiet first half performance to give some offensive firepower to the visiting side. He had 15 points in the third quarter alone, and helped Perth to a six-point buffer at the final change.

The Hawks were not going to roll over just yet, making it a tied ball game in the first few minutes of the final frame, but Perth seemed to have all the answers down the other end. Doolittle was again influential, making some timely shots to give the Wildcats some wiggle room on the scoreboard and helping his team close out with a seven-point win.

The import forward overcame a poor first half showing to drop 21 of his 26 points in the final 20 minutes of play, while also dishing out five rebounds and five assists on an impressive 10/13 shooting. His aggression with ball in hand during the second half proved the difference, with the Wildcats relying on him for scoring, which proved a winning method.

Fellow import Dylan Windler was also impressive in the win for Perth, with the Wildcats forward posting 22 points, five rebounds and five dimes of his own on 9/13 shooting, while guards Elijah Pepper (19 points) and Ben Henshall (17 points, nine rebounds, six assists) were also crucial.

Import guard QJ Peterson was Illawarra’s best, proving the team’s most reliable source of scoring with 22 points, five boards and six assists, while big man JaVale McGee had another double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.

The Hawks will now look to remain in the pursuit of a play-in spot when they host the Adelaide 36ers on Thursday night, while the Wildcats will look to continue their winning ways in a clash against the Cairns Taipans on Friday.