Townsville returned to the ANBL's top eight and ended Perth's three-game winning streak with a thrilling 97-93 victory at the Townsville Entertainment Centre.
Crocodiles captain John Rillie starred for the homeside with a game high 28 points and six rebounds as highly touted US import Corey Williams was well-held and finished with just 12 points for the night.
Former Croc Peter Crawford starred for Perth with 23 points, while Shawn Redhage (15 points) and centre Paul Rogers (14) were also strong contributors.
The victory ensured Townsville moved into eighth place on the NBL table with a 9-8 record, while the Wildcats remain in sixth place on 7-6.
It was a welcome return to the winners' circle for Townsville after their four-game winning stretch was halted by a 120-113 defeat from Brisbane on Thursday night.
The home side started slowly as Perth import Redhage combined with compatriot Gerald Brown to build a 26-24 lead at the first change.
The Crocs awoke from their slumber in the second quarter with Rillie hitting consecutive shots from beyond the arc while Kelvin Robertson continued to light it up from downtown.
But as much as the Crocs surged they could not shake off the
Wildcats and when Crawford landed a late three pointer Perth carried a 54-51 lead into the main break.
Rillie continued his hot shooting on the other side of the break landing yet another three while Perth talls Rogers and Redhage consigned Williams to a ball carrying role, denying him room to move inside the key.
The increased defensive pressure opened up scoring opportunities at the opposite end of the court but Ben Hunt's injection for Perth enabled the visitors to claw back a nine-point deficit and trail 73-68 at the final break.
