'Cats tame Tigers


The Perth Wildcats have overcome a determined and hungry Melbourne Tigers to score a thrilling 93-90 win at Challenge Stadium on Sunday thanks to an inspired Kevin Lisch.

The Tigers were coming strong in the final quarter with Luke Kendall and Mark Worthington on fire, but an incredible run of 11 points to Wildcats import guard Lisch saw his team hold on for the three-point win.

It was the Wildcats' 500th win in the NBL, just edging out the Adelaide 36ers (499) to become the first team to the milestone.

It was just the type of game that could excite all genuine basketball fans, consisting of plenty of spice and exciting play in front of a sold out crowd.

Lisch was the star for the Wildcats with 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting while Jesse Wagstaff had to step up as a centre with Luke Schenscher in foul trouble and finished with 14 points and six boards.

Captain Shawn Redhage had 15 points and 10 boards, Stephen Weigh 11 points, and Schenscher 13.

Despite the loss, the signs were terrific for the Tigers who were coming off a win in Adelaide on Wednesday.

Kendall and Worthington top scored with 19 points. Kendall nailed five threes against his old team while Worthington hit three on return to his home state.

Centre Daniel Johnson was impressive with 15 points, Daryl Corletto added 13 and Tommy Greer 12.

The 'Cats got off to a fast start largely thanks to Schenscher, with the big man scoring seven quick points to help his team to a 15-12 lead.

However, he picked up two fouls and when he went out of the game Melbourne's Johnson took over as the dominant big man on the court. He scored eight for the quarter, but the Wildcats still led 28-26.

Perth led 44-41 at the change, but Melbourne was doing well to stay in touch with Johnson having 11 points for the half .

The Tigers hit the lead early in the second half for the first time since scoring the opening basket of the game, but it was short-lived as Lisch immediately answered with a three for Perth.

The lead continued to see-saw for the rest of the third period before the Wildcats ended it with a 7-0 run to lead 70-65.

Perth looked to gain control after a 6-0 run to lead 76-67, but a three to Worthington and another two from beyond the arc to Corletto saw the Tigers back within one with five minutes to go.

Schenscher came back in to put Perth back up by four, but it was again back to two after another Worthington basket with just over four minutes remaining.

Damian Martin then hit 1-of-2 from the line for the 'Cats, but a Kendall three brought scores level at 81. Another Kendall three saw Melbourne lead by a point, but Lisch hit a lay-up, a three and two from the line to put Perth back up 88-84.

The margin was again three when Worthington hit a three and Schenshcer made 1-of-2 from the line, and Kendall missed a buzzer-beating three that would have tied the scores.

Melbourne (2-4) return home to end a three-game road run to host the Gold Coast Blaze on Wednesday night, while the Wildcats (4-2) remain in Perth for two more home matches against Wollongong and New Zealand over the next fortnight.

Perth Wildcats 93 (Lisch 21, Redhage 15, Wagstaff 14)
Melbourne Tigers 90 (Kendall 19, Worthington 19, Johnson 15)
@ Challenge Stadium; 25/10/09. Crowd: 4,100

*Gather your in a rather happy mood today Clint and great to see thE img]http://www.telethon.7perth.com.au/images/telethon-logo.gif[/img] account slowly growing