Narkle sparks Hawks past Perth Wildcats in crucial road win
The Hawks beat the Wildcats 105-98 on Saturday, with bench player Johny Narkle delivering clutch plays when Perth nearly stole the game.
Illawarra's Johny Narkle came off the bench to turn the match when Perth just fought back from as many as 15 points down to lead by two with just over four minutes left. The 25-year-old, playing in front of his Geraldton family, hit a four-point play, then calmly made three free throws after grabbing an offensive rebound and completed a steal with an athletic slam.
Narkle also blocked a Brandon Knight lay-up in the dying seconds. Narkle finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block.
The win improved Illawarra to 3-8 before the first of five straight road games for the Hawks.
- 3-8
- Hawks record after win
- 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block
- Narkle's final stats
- 15 points
- Lead Perth fought back from
- 25 years old, bench player
- Narkle's age and role
Why it mattersFor the Hawks, the win shows they can dig deep under pressure and suggests their struggling season might be turning around.
AustraliaIllawarra's turnaround shapes the NBL's lower ladder race and keeps their playoff hopes alive.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
