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The Perth Wildcats have sounded a stern championship warning to their NBL rivals with a thumping 105-92 victory over Wollongong Hawks at Challenge Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Hawks simply had no answer to the offensive might of Boomer Shawn Redhage (29 points) and import Darnell Hinson (21 points).
But the pair received plenty of support, with Alex Loughton (15 points, four steals) and Peter Crawford (14 points) playing crucial roles as the Cats, who led by 28 points midway through the third quarter, cruised to the easiest of victories.
Glen Saville (17 points) tried valiantly to lift the visitors with Mat Campbell (16 points) and Cameron Tragardh (13 points) chipping in but the final margin flattered the Hawks, who scored some easy baskets in the final term.
The Cats were feeling the pressure following two losses to start the season but the WA franchise have since bounced back with a vengeance, recording comprehensive wins over Gold Coast and Wollongong.
Those wins have instilled confidence into the Cats, whose next assignment is a gruelling eight-day trip that includes visits to Townsville, Melbourne, Wollongong and Sydney.
Wollongong, who have just one win to their name after three games, will be eagerly awaiting Friday week's re-match with the Cats to atone for the heavy loss in Perth.
The Hawks were never in the match following Perth's early onslaught.
Six triples inside the opening eight minutes - including three to Hinson - saw the Cats bolt out to a 29-6 lead.
Wollongong closed the gap to 18 points at halftime but their challenge was short-lived, with Hinson's scoring spree in the third quarter effectively ending the contest.
