NBL27 Round 7 Match Report | Wildcats vs Hawks

The Perth Wildcats pushed the Illawarra Hawks to the closing stages of a 105-98 defeat at RAC Arena on Saturday night.

Perth held an 86-84 lead with 4:40 remaining before Johny Narkle went on a run of his own, scoring seven straight points to put Illawarra back in front. The Hawks maintained their advantage through the closing stages to secure the Round 7 result.

Anthony Dell’Orso provided a strong contribution, scoring 14 of Perth’s 29 fourth quarter points.

Jesse Wagstaff’s second quarter shooting gave the Wildcats an important early lift as both teams traded baskets through the opening term.

Kristian Doolittle contributed six first quarter points, with the scores level at 13-13 midway through the term.

Illawarra created separation late in the quarter, with Dell’Orso turning a steal into a layup and Windler scoring again to leave Perth trailing 24-19 at the first break.

Doolittle’s playmaking helped the Wildcats find opportunities early in the second, setting up Elijah Pepper and Angus Brandt as Perth closed the gap.

Brandt scored five points in the opening minutes, including a three point play to tie the scores at 26-26. Windler’s free throws and a Brandon Knight triple kept the teams level.

Wagstaff then made his mark, knocking down two threes and adding a pair of free throws. His eight points in just over a minute brought Perth within two at 43-41.

Kelan Martin answered with Illawarra’s next seven points, helping the Hawks take a 51-44 lead into halftime.

Consecutive threes from Tyler Harvey and Makur Maker extended the visitors’ advantage early in the third.

Doolittle and Pepper connected from long range, while Cameron Huefner added a jumper and a putback as Perth searched for a sustained run of stops.

Knight helped create a productive finish to the quarter, finding Windler inside and Dell’Orso for a three. Windler then intercepted a pass and set up Knight for a layup, leaving the Wildcats trailing 78-69 at the final break.

Dell’Orso became a driving force in the fourth, making two threes and a pair of free throws as Perth increased the pressure.

Knight drew a foul on a long range attempt and converted all three free throws to tie the scores at 84-84. A Windler steal created another opportunity, with Doolittle making two free throws to give Perth the lead.

Narkle’s response proved decisive. He completed a four point play before adding three more free throws, putting Illawarra ahead 91-86.

Windler scored to bring Perth within three, with a Martin triple and Narkle dunk giving the Hawks breathing room heading into the final two minutes.

Dell’Orso continued to attack late, while his steal led to a Windler three point play that reduced the margin to four with 26 seconds remaining.

Another Dell’Orso basket brought Perth within three with 16 seconds to play, with Illawarra converting its remaining free throws to close out the game.

BOX SCORES

Anthony Dell’Orso led Perth with 21 points off the bench, while Dylan Windler contributed across the floor and Kristian Doolittle finished with a team high seven assists.

• Anthony Dell’Orso: 21 points and three steals.
• Dylan Windler: 19 points, nine rebounds, four steals and two blocks.
• Kristian Doolittle: 16 points, seven assists and five rebounds.

Kelan Martin led Illawarra with 23 points, including five threes, while Makur Maker added 21 points. William Hickey contributed across the floor and Johny Narkle delivered key plays late.

• Kelan Martin: 23 points and four rebounds.
• Makur Maker: 21 points and five rebounds.
• Wani Swaka Lo Buluk: 15 points, including three threes.
• Johny Narkle: 11 points, seven rebounds, two steals and one block.