Perth put an end to a disappointing season for the Tigers with a comeback 72-71 NBL win in Melbourne on Friday night.
Tigers import Myron Allen - who contributed 13 points, seven assists and six rebounds - was denied a game-winning fade-away three-pointer with 0.4 seconds remaining when his attempt hit the shot-clock.
Intensity was rife throughout with the Wildcats showing playoff-like desperation ahead of next week's semi-finals, and the Tigers looking to end their tumultuous season on a high.
With both teams utilising full-court defences, Matt Burston (15 points, 13 rebounds) and Lucas Walker (12 points, nine rebounds) led the home team from the inside with an array of buckets.
But Perth weathered Melbourne's early storm courtesy of Jesse Wagstaff (nine points), Luke Nevill (nine points) and Shawn Redhage (19 points, seven rebounds).
Ron Dorsey (22 points) came alive in the second period with a handful of jumpshots and three thunderous dunks, getting the home fans roaring as he totalled 14 points for the quarter.
Perth continued its poor shooting from its previous visit to Melbourne, falling behind 42-32 at the major break.
A three-point play got Kevin Lisch (19 points) going for Perth in the third term to help bridge the gap, and with help from a bandaged Damian Martin, the Wildcats went into the final quarter down 53-49.
A play-off atmosphere took over, with Redhage exploiting Burston's perimeter defence to keep the westerners within arm's reach.
Lisch carried his team down the stretch, a couple of clutch lay-ups ensuring the win and positive momentum going into the semi-finals.
The Tigers finished their season with 11 wins but a forgettable 2-11 record since New Year's Eve.
Referee Ray Hunt officiated in an NBL record 946th match to break fellow Victorian Bill Mildenhall's mark.
AAP
Tags: nbl, basketball, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia First posted March 23, 2012 22:34:30
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