Bottom-ranked Illawarra have pulled off the biggest boilover of the NBL season, stunning Perth 105-98.
The Hawks won each of the first three quarters at Perth's RAC Arena on Saturday night, and led by 15 deep into the third term, before the third-placed Wildcats rallied and pinched the lead midway through the fourth.
But against the grain, unsung Illawarra reserve Johny Narkle made a name for himself.
The bench hustler gave the Hawks the lead back with a four-point play, followed it with three calm free throws after snaring a huge offensive rebound, then completed a steal and athletic slam.
The icing on the cake came when he rejected a Brandon Knight lay-up in the dying seconds.
"I'm happy with how our boys came out and played - unselfish, they trusted each other, they came out with a lot of energy," Hawks Justin Tatum said.
"They were determined to find a way to win.
"We pulled it out, so I'm really excited with how we played today."
Import Kelan Martin scored 23 points for Illawarra and Makur Maker added 21.
Anthony Dell'Orso (21 points) and Dylan Windler (19 points, 11 rebounds) were best for Perth, who lost their second home fixture in 72 hours.
Illawarra scored at will early against the Wildcats' flat-footed defence to lead 24-19 at quarter-time.
Perth lifted their intensity in the second term, led by 40-year-old reserve Jesse Wagstaff, but they couldn't control the Hawks on the boards.
Illawarra led the rebound count 14-5 for the quarter to hold sway 51-44 at halftime.
The Hawks continued to dominate the boards, at one stage owning a 27-14 rebounding advantage - including 10-2 on the offensive glass - giving them countless second opportunities.
Illawarra's advantage swelled to 75-60, before the Wildcats used a 9-3 burst to close to 78-69 at the last break.
The inspirational Wagstaff took a charge on Will Hickey in the shadows of three-quarter-time, then continued to lead Perth's fightback on the defensive end in the fourth period.
Dell'Orso buried a pair of threes, then three Knight free throws levelled the scores at 84-all and two more from Kristian Doolittle suddenly made it 86-84 Perth's way, before they were undone by WA-born Narkle.
"It's simple - if you rebound at a high level, you give yourself a chance when you can't find the rhythm," Wildcats coach John Rillie said.
"That was the disappointing thing for me - our lack of willingness to go pursue the rebound.
"We're going to have to solve the rebounding issue."
