Kevin Lisch etched his name into Perth Wildcats folklore with an amazing 29 points as the 'Cats beat the Wollongong Hawks 96-72 to become the 2009/10 NBL champions at Challenge Stadium on Friday night.
Lisch, the 23-year-old import guard in his first season of professional basketball out of St Louis University, put on an incredible display with 29 points that included five three-pointers and 13 late in the third quarter where the 'Cats went on a 14-0 run.
That saw the Wildcats win Game 3 of the Grand Final series by 24 points and create NBL history with a record fifth championship.
The other Perth triumphs came in 1990, 91, 95 and 2000, and they are now one title ahead of the Adelaide 36ers.
Lisch earned the Larry Sengstock Medal as Grand Final MVP for his games of 15, 11 and 29 points. His performance, along with point guard Damian Martin who had 17 points and three from long range, led the Wildcats to victory.
Stephen Weigh also added 13 points, likely rookie-of-the-year Jesse Wagstaff 10 and captain Shawn Redhage nine for the Wildcats.
Martin Cattalini scored six points and now becomes a four-time NBL championship winner after playing with Perth in 1995, and Adelaide in 98 and 99.
While Wollongong fell short in the deciding Game 3, coach Gordie McLeod did a tremendous job to see his team finish the season in second position on the ladder.
The Hawks beat Townsville to make the Grand Final and then won Game 2 on Tuesday at home in Wollongong to force the deciding match back in Perth.
Glen Saville scored 13 points, Rhys Martin 12, Cameron Tragardh 12 and Dave Gruber 11 in what proved a tough last night of the season.
The Wildcats caught fire early and Luke Schenscher bounced back for the Wildcats after an early missed shot and foul to help with a back court steal that led to a basket. He then scored himself as the 'Cats went up 6-2.
Threes to Mat Campbell and Rhys Martin put the Hawks back in front before both teams continued to trade the lead.
The heat that has been there the whole series bubbled over when Cattalini and Redhage took exception to Luke Martin and all 10 players became involved in some push and shove.
Lisch hit two free-throws out of that, but then the Hawks got hot to finish the opening quarter on an 8-0 to lead 31-25.
Wollongong's run continued to start the second and the visitors threatened to tear the game apart. A basket to Tragardh and a three from Campbell saw the Hawks take a commanding 11-point advantage, but the Wildcats then went on a 10-point run of their own.
Damian Martin (two) and Lisch hit threes, Lisch a pair from the line and Weigh another bucket to bring the scores level at 38.
Wollongong made some massive shots again before half-time through Rhys Martin and Saville, but the Hawks just led by one at the main break.
Damian and Rhys Martin traded baskets to start the third period and things remained tight until an amazing Perth run led by Lisch to end the quarter secured the championship for the Wildcats.
Martin also scored twice, but Lisch hit 13 points in the last four minutes and when he hit a three with 10 seconds to go Perth led 75-63.
Play had to be called back for 1.7 seconds after both teams thought it was three quarter-time, and Lisch hit a massive three from just inside half-court to give him 29 points for three quarters and see his team lead by 15.
It was then a series high 20-point margin after five points from Weigh and the last quarter was a celebration for the Wildcats as they eventually won by 24.
Perth Wildcats 96 (Lisch 29, Martin 17, Weigh 13)
Wollongong Hawks 72 (Saville 13, Tragardh 12, R Martin 12)
@ Challenge Stadium; 12/03/10. Crowd: 4,493.
Larry Sengstock Medal (Grand Final MVP): Kevin Lisch
