Second half surge helps Wildcats clip Hawks' wings

The Illawarra Hawks have fallen to the Perth Wildcats for the second time in less than a week, going down 94-80 on Thursday night.

Bryce Cotton once again was the catalyst of the Wildcats’ win at the WIN Entertainment Centre, scoring 28 points, while also chipping in six rebounds and two assists.

The three-time NBL MVP was supported by fellow import Vic Law, who continued his sensational season with 24 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.

The other Perth player to reach double-figures was former Hawk Todd Blanchfield, who hit three triples on his way to 14 points.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gee whiz ?<a href="https://twitter.com/ac_uno1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ac_uno1</a> does Michael Frazier II dirty??<br><br>?: <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNAusNZ</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/kayosports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kayosports</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Foxtel?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Foxtel</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreIllawarra?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreIllawarra</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FlyAsOne?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FlyAsOne</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> <a href="https://t.co/xU0MI2LxLf">pic.twitter.com/xU0MI2LxLf</a></p>&mdash; Illawarra Hawks Basketball (@illawarrahawks) <a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks/status/1486623191745191937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In the defeat, Antonius Cleveland did all he could, notching a career-high 22 points, to go along with seven rebounds, three steals, three blocks and one assist.

Sharpshooter and NBA Next Star Justinian Jessup also had a strong game with 17 points, as guards Tyler Harvey and Xavier Rathan-Mayes chipped in 16 and 10 respectively.

The biggest difference between Perth and Illawarra was the field goal (52.5 per cent to 37.8) and three-point percentages (39.1 to 28.6), as well as the assists, which saw the Cats also hand out nine more (19-10) during the 40-minute round nine fixture, and free throw discrepancy (21/27 compared to 8/11).

The Hawks started with a bang thanks to Cleveland who blocked Cotton before going full court for the lay-up despite the pressure of two defenders. 

Cleveland was at it again soon after, breaking Michael Frazier II’s ankles which led to an impressive one-handed jam.

The intense defence by the hosts, causing numerous Perth turnovers and seven points from Memphis talent Cleveland helped the Hawks lead 22-21 the first break.

The hosts’ energy was sky-high in the second, 16 of the first 23 points, to race out to a 10-point lead.

But reigning MVP Cotton (20 first-half points) and Blanchfield (11) inspired the visitors’ comeback, as eight straight points fired the Wildcats back into the lead at half-time, 46-44.

Five straight points by Jessup and a three-pointer by Tim Coenraad helped the hosts regain the lead midway through the term.

Just when it appeared Goorjian’s troops has gained the ascendancy, eight consecutive points by forward Law out the Cats back in front by five.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/YoungTRaaw?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YoungTRaaw</a> with the tough and-one to keep the Hawks in it ?<br><br>?: <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNAusNZ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNAusNZ</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/kayosports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kayosports</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Foxtel?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Foxtel</a> <br> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreIllawarra?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreIllawarra</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FlyAsOne?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FlyAsOne</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> <a href="https://t.co/M5ZWifsJ28">pic.twitter.com/M5ZWifsJ28</a></p>&mdash; Illawarra Hawks Basketball (@illawarrahawks) <a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks/status/1486642918412599296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Despite a spirited attempt at a fightback and a dagger three by Blanchfield, the Hawks trialled 75-65 at three-quarter-time.

Contentious foul calls and numerous blocked shots by Matt Hodgson helped the Cats stretch their lead to 14 three minutes into the final period.

The Hawks didn’t give up though, with a tough and-one by Harvey and triple by Xavier Rathan-Mayes, keeping Illawarra within striking distance.

But the Wildcats showed their class in the final minutes, to hold on by 14 points.

The Hawks, who are now 5-4, will now hit the road, where they’ll play the Taipans in Cairns from 5.30pm AEDT on Saturday.