Kristian Doolittle steps up big time to lift Perth Wildcats to crucial win over Illawarra Hawks in NBL

A stunning third quarter from Kristian Doolittle has inspired the Perth Wildcats to a brilliant seven-point victory over Illawarra to maintain their dream of pushing into the NBL’s top four. Doolittle was outstanding and his 26 points included 15 in the third quarter despite suffering an injury scare during the second term on Saturday night. He took over the game to lift Perth to a 106-99 victory at the WIN Entertainment Centre. Doolittle said the Wildcats were doing plenty right after losing close games earlier in the season. “I feel like we are righting some of the mistakes we were making early on (in the season). We are understanding it is going to be a long season and a lot of those games we wish we could have back but we are just getting it right in time for the play-offs,” he said. All of Perth’s starters had big games. Dylan Windler had 22 points, five rebounds and five assists, Ben Henshall was massive with 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists, Elijah Pepper produced 19 points and Jo Lual-Acuil scored 14 points. Perth are level with fourth placed Melbourne at 18-11 with four matches remaining. The Hawks attacked in the first quarter and scored 30 points to lead by five points at the first break. They then extended that advantage to 13 points during the second period and the Wildcats looked in trouble. Doolittle was on the bench after reaching for his left leg and hobbling off, and danger signs were everywhere. But Doolittle returned to the game, Perth remained composed and Windler scored seven points as the clock ticked down to the next break. That allowed the Wildcats to reduce the deficit to only six points at half-time. Windler had 13 points and Pepper had 10 as they maintained the pressure on the home team. The Wildcats hadn’t lost to a team that is currently below them on the ladder since October. They’ve been taking care of business against teams they are expected to beat while also defeating South East Melbourne Phoenix twice in January. But Perth also had the challenge of having to get back into their travelling routine after spending three weeks in Western Australia. Their stars had all been spending extended minutes on court as they confronted their fourth game in 10 days. Doolittle still didn’t look comfortable as he warmed up after the break, but Perth needed him given they were already missing David Duke junior (elbow) and Jaron Rillie (hamstring). Then he turned it on. The American made a tough three-pointer to level the scores and he was up to 10 points for the game. And that started an onslaught from the Wildcats import. He scored 15 points for the quarter, including four three-pointers, and inspired Perth to a six-point lead at three-quarter time. Illawarra were also working through a tough schedule so the team that could run out the game best was going to have a major advantage. Illawarra levelled the scores early in the final quarter and the home crowd was right behind them. Perth had to cover for Lual-Acuil when he got his ankle re-taped after rolling it. Then Windler left the game briefly under the blood rule. But the Wildcats had all of the answers when it truly mattered.