Sharpshooting 'Cats down Hawks in Jesse's milestone

Henshall scored a career-high 26 points to go with six assists as the Wildcats hit a stunning 19 triples to prevail over ladder leaders Illawarra 113-105.

The WA product hit five three-pointers alone, equal to only ex-NBA sharpshooter Dylan Windler who contributed 15 of his 17 points from outside the arc.

Six Wildcats reached double digits in a high-scoring affair in Wagstaff’s club record-equalling 482^nd appearance.

The home side survived a late scare from the Hawks, who got within three points in the dying minutes before a hot patch from Elijah Pepper.

Pepper, who's making a habit of big late plays, had his hand in three consecutive buckets on the way to 13 points and four assists for the night.

Too smooth, Eli. 😮‍💨

Watch live on ESPN via Kayo. pic.twitter.com/7A3xwxXiIi

— Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) November 1, 2024

Keanu Pinder started where he left off in last week’s equal career-high 34-point game, hitting an early three to get the Wildcats rolling.

Henshall got another starting-five opportunity and was making the most of it, following up a mid-range floater with a reverse layup and three-pointer.

The hot three-point shooting was becoming contagious with Doolittle, Windler, Pepper and the returning Tai Webster also joining the party.

Henshall was the first player to reach double-digits after nailing his second triple and one of nine shot by the Wildcats from 12 attempts on the way to a 39-31 quarter-time lead.

It's a three point party and Tai's invited! 🥳

Watch live on ESPN via Kayo. pic.twitter.com/pe07iMWWx8

— Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) November 1, 2024

The sharpshooting and impressive defensive plays continued in the second term with Henshall and Webster in everything.

Wagstaff got a massive round of applause after entering the floor for the first time in his record-equalling game.

Henshall was up to a game-high 21 points for the half to help Perth to a healthy 62-53 lead midway through the contest.

Pinder gave the Wildcats an ideal start to the second half, knocking one down from long-range, before Will ‘Davo’ Hickey hit back for the Hawks who got within four.

But Windler shifted the momentum in Perth’s favour once again with two big triples as the margin went out to double digits.

It was a real see-sawing affair in the third quarter with Illawarra clawing their way back to three points down before a clutch buzzer-beater three from Henshall made it 89-83 at three-quarter time.

Henshall beat his previous career-high points tally of 24 by early in the last term, while Windler was on a real heater from downtown.

At the other end, Tyler Harvey was keeping the Hawks in it with big plays.

Pepper’s steal midway through the last resulted in a crucial layup from Webster.

The young guard then hit a layup of his own before a behind-the-back pass to Doolittle to make it three buckets in a row and a nine-point buffer.

Pepper then drew a charge at the other end to bring the house down and extinguish a brave Hawks comeback.

The Wildcats are now 4-4 after back-to-back wins ahead of Sunday's road clash against South-East Melbourne Phoenix at John Cain Arena.