Illawarra Hawks book NBL playoffs berth after downing Wildcats in the west

Illawarra had led by three points with 17 seconds left, however, they surprisingly left Bryce Cotton wide open from the perimetre. But the league's reigning MVP missed the shot, allowing Brian Goorjian to celebrate his 800^th game as an NBL coach in style.

It was a rare blemish from Cotton during another standout individual performance. With import Vic Law missing through injury, the 29-year-old mustered 25 points, while teammate Majok Majok (16 points, 10 rebounds) had a double-double.

Meanwhile, the Hawks were cold in offence, shooting just 30/74 from the field. However, Tyler Harvey was outstanding, finishing with 22 points - including six threes - while Duop Reath managed 19 points and eight rebounds. Antonius Cleveland (11 boards, 10 points) also managed a double-double despite being fouled out during the fourth quarter.

The result means the Hawks have at least sewn up third place ahead of Sunday's last regular season game with the Kings, and booked their place in successive playoffs.

"Tonight was a huge test. This team's proud and there was a lot at stake for both teams, but hugely for them. And we took their best shot and it was a huge win for us. I'm proud of my guys. For us, this is something to be excited about as an organisation and as a team, and you get that from playing against quality," Goorjian said.

"The challenge when I came here was that they've [Hawks] have had great years before, but the follow-ups never happen. They've lost Norton, Nick Kay to Perth after success: they've never been able to sustain it. So this year is huge for us. And to make that four as a regional centre, it's a difficult hand. And the winning is not in the coaching, it's in the picking and signing Harvey back, to sign Sam Froling back. And if we can continue that with the addition of Duop and continue to build, our goal is to fill our stadium with our colours, and be a perennial power."

Read more: Griffin leaves door open for Sims' mid-season move to Melbourne

The Hawks had a less than ideal start on Friday night, with Cleveland giving away two fouls within 37 seconds.

But Illawarra settled, with Froling mustering four rebounds within a few minutes. Harvey was also red-hot early, sinking two threes, while Reath tallied seven points.

At the other end, Cotton loomed large, draining three from long range, as the visitors took a 22-17 lead. But Perth fought back courtesy of Jesse Wagstaff and Michael Frazier II threes as the score was locked at 24-24 at the first break.

The Hawks came firing out of the blocks in the second, going on an 8-2 run to jump out to a 32-26 lead. Froling in particular was in red-hot form, mustering three buckets, but Perth scored six of the next eight points to cut the deficit to 34-32.

The game then turned into a shoot-out, with Reath and Majok looking threatening in particular, before Harvey's three gave the Hawks a 44-41 lead. Illawarra continued to rally hard for the rest of the term to hold a 50-45 advantage at half time.

Read more: From U13s to premier league, Tayleah's a Stingrays star

Harvey got the Hawks rolling early in the third, scoring five points, as his side jumped out to a 58-49 lead.

Frazier II was able to respond with a three, before Harvey mustered his fifth basket from long range, and Xavier Rathan-Mayes' layup gave Illawarra a 63-52 lead. However, the Wildcats rallied, going on a 10-2 run, before Rathan-Mayes' late bucket gave his side a 67-62 advantage at three-quarter time.

Cotton again got his side firing early, mustering four points as Perth cut the margin to 73-69. But the Hawks continued to show resolve, particularly in defence, to nudge out to a 78-71 lead.

However, there was a huge play in the final four minutes when Cleveland was fouled out of the game. Todd Blanchfield stepped up to nail both free throws to cut the deficit to five.

With just over two minutes left, the Hawks still led by five - however, they suddenly went cold in offence. At the other end of the floor, Cotton scored an easy layup to pull the margin back to 80-77.

With 17 seconds remaining, Cotton was left wide open - however, his long-range attempt hit the rim and bounced away. There was a mad scramble for the ball, with the referee calling a foul against Mitch Norton on Froling. However, Wildcats coach Scott Morrison successfully reversed the decision via a coach's challenge.

Perth then won back possession following a jump ball contest, leading to Frazier II firing for three - however, his shot was off target.

Harvey grabbed the ball and was immediately fouled. He went straight to the charity stripe, where he went two from two, to round out a hard-fought 82-77 victory.

To read more stories, download the Illawarra Mercury news app in the Apple Store or Google Play.

Sign up for breaking news emails below.