The Wollongong Hawks are well within reach of victory in tonight's opening game of their best-of-three grand final series against the Perth Wildcats at Challenge Stadium.
Wollongong seemed destined to be in for a long night when the Wildcats surged to a 15-point lead early in the second quarter.
But they gamely fought back in the last five minutes of the first half to trail 38-35 at half-time.
Sparking the revival was back-up playmaker Luke Martin, who scored 10 points in the second period.
Perth were cruising comfortably after taking control with a 21-2 run over the first and second quarters.
But they might be looking nervously over their shoulders in the second half after failing to capitalise on their commanding lead.
Also playing well off the bench for Wollongong was Tim Coenraad (eight points).
Shawn Redhage led Perth with 10 points, while American forward Galen Young had seven points, three rebounds and two steals.
There's a long way to go but the Hawks might be feeling they have taken the Cats' best shot.
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