08/31/2009 Europe`s largest street party kicks off
HUNDREDS of thousands of people were expected at the Notting Hill Carnival in west London today, a celebration of Caribbean culture that has become Europe`s biggest street party
08/31/2009 MasterChef love rat gone to the dogs
CHRIS Badenoch is drawing on his culinary craft for a good cause, throwing a party to raise money for abandoned pets
08/31/2009 Aspirin may do more harm than good
HEALTHY people taking a daily dose of aspirin to prevent heart attacks may be doing themselves more harm than good, according to a new study by British scientists
08/31/2009 Garrido`s backyard searched for bodies
CADAVER-sniffing dogs search through sex-slave accused`s yard for links to unsolved cases
08/31/2009 Hurricane threatens Mexican coast
HURRICANE Jimena spun toward the Mexican Pacific coast today as authorities warned that it could make land by the middle of the week
08/31/2009 Cornthwaite ready for sanction
Adelaide United have indicated they will announce their FFA approved sanctions against defender Robert Cornthwaite in the next 24 hours
08/31/2009 Raiders put Knights to the sword
Newcastle Knights` hopes of making the NRL finals remain on hold after the Knights slipped to a 30-14 defeat to Canberra Raiders on Monday at Canberra Stadium
08/31/2009 Record 54 women elected in Japan
A RECORD 54 women won seats in Japan`s weekend election but female parliamentary representation still remains low by developed world standards at 11 per cent
08/31/2009 Police scour backyard after kidnapping
POLICE in California continue to seek answers to how a convicted sexual predator was able to kidnap a young girl and keep her, along with the two children she bore him in captivity, for nearly two decades
08/31/2009 Prison chief `has no mental disorders`
MENTAL health experts have told Cambodia`s UN-backed war crimes court that the Khmer Rouge`s main prison chief has no mental disorders despite having overseen the killing of thousands of people
08/31/2009 California bushfires claim two lives
RAGING bushfires have gained ground around Los Angeles where they have claimed their first two fatalities and left three other people injured while threatening thousands of homes
08/31/2009 Roosters star stood down
Sydney Roosters have stood down Setaimata Sa from all club activities indefinitely after being being charged with four offences following an incident at an Eastern Suburbs hotel on Sunday night
08/31/2009 Finch admits Douglas error
It wasn`t quite the apology he was after, but Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart was certainly vindicated for attacking the sending off of Sharks prop Luke Douglas on Sunday
08/31/2009 White to make most of chance
Stung by his omission from Australia`s World Twenty20 squad, Cameron White is determined to make the most of his chances now
08/31/2009 Helicopter joins search for minister
A Victoria Police helicopter joined the search for missing state government minister Tim Holding at Mt Feathertop in Victoria`s northeast, Chief Commissioner Simon Overland says
08/31/2009 `Leave early` warning on code red
A NEW bushfire risk rating system could mean all Victorians would be advised to consider leaving their homes for a more protected area in the lead-up to a potential Black Saturday type event, the State Government said
08/31/2009 Time critical for missing minister
RESCUE teams say time is critical in the search for missing Victorian MP Tim Holding
08/31/2009 Man jailed for stabbing friend to death
A YOUNG Melbourne man who fatally stabbed his friend 36 times has been jailed for a minimum of four years
08/31/2009 Cooper must play pivot: Horan
Wallabies great Tim Horan believes it`s time Matt Giteau was unshackled from the playmaking duties and moved back to run amok at inside centre
08/31/2009 Baby crocs roaming rural Darwin
STOLEN crocodiles are roaming rural Darwin, turning up in backyards, trashing kitchens and napping in walk-in-robes
Perth Wildcats became the NBL`s most successful team, securing their fifth championship with a 96-72 victory over Wollongong Hawks in the deciding game three of the grand final series in Perth.

In a fiery encounter, Perth trailed by 11 points early in the second term but clawed their way out of trouble courtesy of an inspirational performance from US import Kevin Lisch, who drained a game-high 29 points, including five of nine from long range.

Wildcats guard Damian Martin (17 points, four steals) was also influential and combined with fellow antagonist Brad Robbins to eventually wear down the Hawks.

Wollongong forward Cameron Tragardh, who nailed 28 points in game two, had 12 first-half points but failed to add to his tally after that, while Glen Saville (13) and Rhys Martin (12) were the other notable scorers for the visitors.

Young guns Jesse Wagstaff and Luke Martin almost came to blows in an off-the-ball incident late in the opening quarter and tempers threatened to boil over as players from both sides rushed in to join the grappling pair.

Calm was restored and it was the Hawks who finished the term the stronger, going on a 12-2 run to take a handy 31-25 lead into the first break.

The Wildcats looked to be in big trouble when Mat Campbell`s three-pointer extended the margin to 11 points three minutes into the second term.

But amazingly just four minutes later the Wildcats were back on level terms, with two long bombs from Damian Martin and another to Lisch inspiring the quick comeback.

The Hawks took a one-point lead into half-time but from there it was the Lisch show.

Perth led 75-63 as the three-quarter time siren sounded and the musical entertainment began.

But Perth skipper Shawn Redhage approached the referees complaining the Cats were denied the final play of the quarter, with the Cats failing to get possession despite an offensive foul being called against Wollongong with 1.7 seconds left in the term.

Perth were eventually granted the 1.7 seconds to launch a final play and Lisch made the most of it, draining a three-pointer from close to half-court to extend the margin to 15 at the final break.

The Hawks had to do everything right in the final term but turned the ball over time and again as Perth cruised to the win.

Lisch`s host hand ended the hopes of Wollongong completing a fairytale season.

The Hawks were on the verge of folding before the season started but were bailed out by the Wollongong community.

And the foundation club defied all expectations by reaching the grand final, winning game two to send the series to a deciding third game.

But the Cats, urged on by a parochial crowd at `The Jungle`, were simply too good, showing character to come back from their second-quarter deficit before showing their class in a dominant third term.

Lisch, who posted 15 points in game one and 11 in game two, was awarded the Larry Sengstock medal for MVP in the grand final series.

"I`ve never won a championship before so I don`t know what to say right now," Lisch said.

"This is an honour but more than anything. It`s just amazing to win a championship. Thank you so much."

Wollongong coach Gordie McLeod said Perth deserved to win the title.

"You have been the benchmark all year and you showed us that tonight," McLeod said.

Hawks skipper Mat Campbell echoed his coach`s sentiments.

"We threw everything at them tonight," Campbell said.

"In that first half we gave them everything and they were able to withstand that to prove they are the champions this year."

AAP

Wildcats claim NBL crown   03/12/2010
08. 2009
Mo Tu Wd Th Fr Sa Su
12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31


Google


Categories: News Headlines Business News Entertaiment News Hi-tech & Science Sport
Global: Americas Europe Africa Australia Asia Middle East