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
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