'Stopped believing': Hawks blow up own scout

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It was a game the defending champs absolutely needed by Hawks head coach Justin Tatum revealed Illawarra "we stopped believing in our scout" as the Perth Wildcats overcame a 13-point deficit to win the NBL26 Round 19 clash 106-99 in Wollongong on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

"A little disappointed," Tatum said.

"I felt we should have given a four-quarters’ worth of effort instead of two. I tip my hat off to Perth. They stuck with it no matter what. They were down as much as 13, they came back and fought, and they got the win. Tough group of guys.

"We stopped believing in our scout. Our guys just went away from it. We talked about it in the locker room. We have to stick with what’s been working for us and not get into, 'I can recover', or, 'I can cheat on this play here and there'. These players in this league are too good.

"You have to stick with your scout and live with the statistics. That was obviously an element."

The dog fight for the sixth and final play-in spot is congested. The Hawks are eighth at 10-18, the Breakers seventh at 11-17 and the JackJumpers sixth at 12-17.

"It shows we have a chance, but we don’t have anything if we don’t do what it takes to win," Tatum said.

"If we don’t do our part, it doesn’t matter. Statistically, mathematically, hopefully, basketball-wise — whatever it is — if you don’t come out and perform and win games, or at least give effort to find a way to win, it doesn’t make sense.

"It’s good to walk home and say we still have a chance, but if we don’t take advantage of the chance, what’s the point?"

Key Details

• Result: Perth Wildcats 106 def. Illawarra Hawks 99
• When: Friday, 31st January 2026
• Where: WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
• Attendance: 4,234
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Kristian Doolittle (Perth Wildcats) starred with 26 points, five rebounds and five assists in 38 minutes.
• Quentin Peterson (Illawarra Hawks) scored 22 points, and had five rebounds and six assists in 32 minutes.

What Happened

Perth Wildcats outlasted the Illawarra Hawks in a momentum-heavy contest, overturning a strong Hawks start with elite efficiency and late-game execution.

Illawarra controlled much of the first half, taking a 54–48 advantage into the main break. The Hawks pushed their lead to as many as 13 and looked in control when they dictated pace and kept Perth out of transition.

The game turned decisively in the third quarter. Perth exploded for 32 points in the period, flipping the contest behind ruthless shot-making from Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler. Doolittle was the difference-maker, scoring at all three levels and punishing switches, while Windler’s efficiency (9-of-13 shooting) kept the Wildcats ahead during each Hawks response. Perth shot 54.8 percent from the field for the game and 40.9 percent from three, numbers Illawarra couldn’t match.

Despite the loss, Illawarra stayed in the fight. Peterson finished with 22 points and six assists, McGee added 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Sam Froling was near-perfect in limited minutes. The Hawks had chances late but struggled to string together defensive stops as Perth repeatedly answered with scoring plays.

Perth’s balance ultimately decided it. Five Wildcats scored 14 points or more, led by Doolittle’s 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting, with Windler (22), Pepper (19), Henshall (17), and Lual-Acuil Jr. (14) all contributing. Perth won the efficiency battle, committed fewer turnovers (7 to 11), and closed the final minutes with composure after a game that featured 27 lead changes.

Illawarra set the tone early, but Perth’s third-quarter surge and shot-making depth broke the game open and carried them home.