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Wollongong's Cameron Tragardh - Source: Getty -
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Wollongong ensured the NBL championship would go to a game three decider after levelling the series with a decisive 75-63 victory over Perth in Wollongong on Tuesday night.
Roared on by a sell-out crowd of 5,786 the Hawks made it 16 wins from their last 17 home games to ensure the championship would be settled in Perth on Friday night.
In a compelling, defence dominated contest, Perth led 33-32 at half time but couldn't hold off a rampant Wollongong who led 54-51 at three quarter time and won the fourth quarter 21-12.
The lead changed five times in the third term, but having withstood the Wildcats onslaught Wollongong had the offensive answers in the final term.
Hawks forward Cam Tragardh made up for a poor first game with an MVP performance.
Tragardh led all scorers with 28 points on 12/19 shooting.
Backup guard Luke Martin had 11 points and nailed all three three point shots while starting guard Rhys Martin scored 10 points.
Perth guard Kevin Lisch led his side with just 11 points with Stephen Weigh (10 points) the only other Wildcat in double figures.
Offence sells tickets, but defence wins championships and Wollongong's defence was the difference on Tuesday.
The Wildcats were held to just 37 per cent shooting and 31 per
cent in the second half while Wollongong shot 58 per cent in the
second half.
Bruising contest
In a bruising contest Wollongong won the all important rebounding 42-33 with Glen Savill bringing down a game high nine boards.
It was an emotion charged victory for Wollongong given 12 months ago the club announced they would be unable to fill the NBL criteria for inclusion in the competition this season.
But a community based rally led by skipper Mat Campbell secured their place in the league and after being widely regarded as wooden spooners this season they are just one road win away from their second NBL crown.
Campbell, who lifted the team from the ashes just 12 months ago believes the Hawks can win the title in Perth.
"We are right in this series," Campbell said.
"Sure they are back at home but we've got the momentum. I think we will take a huge amount of confidence out of this win and will be ready Friday night."
But the Wildcats who won game one 75-64 last Friday night will still start favourites to win a record fifth NBL crown when the series is decided back in Perth.
Wollongong have won only three of 16 games away from the Sandpit this season including losing three times in Perth.
"It was a grind but we kept our defensive pressure throughout and did a great job of harassing them," Hawks coach Gordie McLeod said.
"The challenge for us is to do it in game three. I've always said this team is the sum of its parts and when we play well together we have success.
Wildcats coach Rob Beveridge said after winning game one it was an opportunity lost.
"It was like a free hit for us tonight but we didn't take our chances. I thought our rebounding effort was woeful we didn't get the job done on the glass and with the support they got from their home crowd we were never going to win."
