NBL 2013/14: SF Game 2 – Perth punish Hawks on way to Grand Final
The Perth Wildcats have become the first team to reach the 2013/14 NBL Grand Final with a convincing 80-61 drubbing of the Wollongong Hawks inside the WIN Entertainment Centre in Game 2 of the Semi-Final clash. Credit: Joel Armstrong |
Wollongong Hawks Perth’s second and third quarters were the telling point as they piled on 52 points to 28 with impact players Shawn Redhage (26 points, 6/6 three pointers, 6 rebounds) and James Ennis (20 points, 8 rebounds) pushing their team further and further away from their opponents. The pair were helped out tremendously by point guard Jermaine Beal (13 points, 4 assists) and big man Matty Knight (8 points, 6 rebounds), as the Wildcats extended to a 23 point margin late in the third quarter. While field goal shooting was something that was near non-existent for the home side, shooting a dismal 32% from the floor, Tim Coenraad (15 points, 4 rebounds) and Dave Gruber (9 points, 10 rebounds) were able to find their rhythm early which sparked a 16-13 first quarter lead for the Hawks. From there, it was all downhill for Wollongong, with their defence struggling to keep up with Perth’s punishing ball movement. Gordie McLeod’s men couldn’t get much going on the offensive end either, notching only 12 field goals heading towards three quarter time. Rhys Martin was a non-factor in the contest, shooting only six times for 10 points. With the game getting away from the Hawks, their living and dying by shooting the ball certainly showed out in this game. Perth now sit back on Tuesday night and watch the final Semi-Final game between Adelaide and Melbourne patiently waiting for their Grand Final opponent. No matter who they face, they are sure to go in hot favourites. Wollongong Hawks 61 (Coenraad 15, Clarke 11, Martin 10) Perth Wildcats 80 (Redhage 26, Ennis 20, Beal 15) Attendance: 2,721 @ WIN Entertainment Centre