Doolittle powers Wildcats over Hawks

Kristian Doolittle proved unstoppable in the second half to lead the Perth Wildcats to the hard fought 106-99 road win over the Illawarra Hawks to close in on the NBL's fourth place.

The Wildcats had to come from 13 points down shortly before half-time at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Saturday night, but Doolittle scored 21 of his 26 points in the second half to produce a powerful showing that the Hawks had no answers for.

The win improves the 'Cats to 18-11 on the season to now only be percentage behind the fourth placed Melbourne United. It's another dagger blow in the championship defence of Illawarra who are 10-18 and behind the sixth placed Tasmania JackJumpers (12-17).

The Hawks had the game on their terms for a lot of the first half including leading 30-25 by quarter-time before pushing that advantage out to 12 with an 11-3 run midway through the second frame.

It was 13 points not long before the half, but the Wildcats stayed in touch with the last seven points to cut that lead for Illawarra to 54-48.

Doolittle took over for the Wildcats in the third quarter with 15 points on his own with his team putting up 32 including the last eight to head into the three quarter-time break on top 80-74.

Even after Illawarra hit the last six points of the fourth quarter to tie things up again, Perth continued to have all the answers with Doolittle the major difference as he led the 'Cats to the hard earned seven-point road win.

On top of Doolittle's 26 points, five rebounds and five assists on 10/13 shooting, fellow import Dylan Windler had 22 points, five boards and five assists while shooting 9/13.

Emerging back court Elijah Pepper (19 points, four steals) and Ben Henshall (17 points, nine rebounds, six assists) were important too as was centre Jo Lual-Acuil Jr with 14 points, four rebounds and two blocks.

Life is now tough for the Hawks to finish in sixth spot with QJ Peterson finishing with 22 points, six assists and five rebounds.

JaVale McGee contributed 18 points and 11 boards, Tyler Harvey 13 points, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk 12 points and five rebounds, and Sam Froling 12 points and seven boards.

It was a fast paced opening to the contest and neither team could make a break until the Hawks opened up a seven-point advantage before quarter-time and went into the first break leading 30-25 with both teams combining to shoot 22/37 from the field.

Illawarra then pushed the pace and opened up a lead as big as 12 points during the second frame with QJ Peterson and Tyler Harvey knocking down a three-pointer apiece, and Sam Froling having an immediate impact coming in for JaVale McGee.

However, Perth did steady before half-time with the last seven points to cut the Illawarra advantage to 54-48 by the main break with not much between the two desperate outfits.

The Wildcats then came out hot to start the third quarter too going on a 7-0 run to tie scores up and force Justin Tatum into an early timeout.

From there, the 'Cats also scored the last eight points of the third quarter with Kristian Doolittle proving unstoppable with 15 points in that 10 minutes to lead his team to the 80-74 edge.

Illawarra did bring things back level to start the fourth term with the first six points, but the Wildcats responded with a 9-4 run to back up seven even though the Hawks kept on coming.

McGee scored up one end and blocked Jo Lual-Acuil Jr up the other with the margin just four heading into the last minute, but Illawarra would only score once more and Perth closed the deal at the foul line.

The Hawks remain at home to host the Adelaide 36ers on Thursday while the Wildcats return home to host the Cairns Taipans at RAC Arena on Friday night.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26 – PRIDE ROUND

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 99 (Peterson 22, McGee 18, Harvey 13)

PERTH WILDCATS 106 (Doolittle 26, Windler 22, Pepper 19)

BOX SCORE