The Illawarra Hawks have stunned the Perth Wildcats with an 89-85 win at the Perth Arena.
The Hawks took some time to settle into the contest, but Rotnei Clarke and Tim Coenraad got going in offence to lead their side to victory.
Clarke finished with a game-high 20 points, while Coenraad, who has averaged less than five points a game this season, finished with 18, including four from long-range.
The Hawks did have to withstand a late comeback from the Cats.
Having trailed by 13 they got the margin back to four points with five minutes to play.
The Hawks gave the home side every chance to pinch the win with some clumsy play in offence but they were unable to make the most of those opportunities.
While the Wildcats are known as the best rebounding side in the NBL, the Hawks are not usually as efficient in that area of the game.
But the visitors controlled the boards for the most of the contest, finishing with a 30-20 advantage.
Andrew Ogilvy led the way with eight defensive boards.
A win would have returned Perth to the top of the NBL ladder, but instead they recorded their second loss at home in three outings at the Arena.
The Hawks have now claimed victories over both grand finalists from last season, after beating New Zealand last weekend and have won five of their past seven games.
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