The honeymoon for new Perth Wildcats coach Scott Fisher was brought to an abrupt end, as the Wollongong Hawks climbed to the top of the NBL ladder with an imposing 117-99 win at Challenge Stadium.

Having enjoyed a 4-1 start to his coaching career, three time NBL championship winner Fisher was left helpless to stop an ugly second half assault that saw his team lose all cohesion, and their unbeaten home record.

Adam Ballinger, with 15 points in the last term, and Mike Kelly, with a four quarter clinic, were the main destroyers for Wollongong, while only Peter Crawford, with 22 points, came out with any credit for the home side.

After 11 days off since their last game, which Fisher said meant it felt like his team were starting the season again, the Wildcats and Hawks shared a similar 4-1 record, and similar aspirations to climb atop the NBL ladder.

With big man Matt Burston back in the line-up after an ankle injury, Wildcats fans also welcomed back Rashad Tucker who had amassed 55 points and 20 rebounds in his two home games this season.

After the home side hit their first five shots to race to an eight-point lead, the influential Glen Saville began pulling the strings for the Hawks, with the only three pointer of the quarter sparking a comeback.

A pull-up jumper on the buzzer by Adam Caporn gave the visitors a one point buffer at the first break, appeasing Hawks coach Brendan Joyce who was taking every opportunity to let the umpires know what he thought.

Two three pointers from Kelly to open the second quarter busted the Hawks out to a seven point lead, with Perth struggling on offence and Burston seemingly not fully recovered from his injury.

Former Townsville guard Crawford continued to impress after his move west, but his efforts were not enough to peg back the Hawks who were indebted to Kelly, whose 100 per cent shooting lifted the Hawks lead to 11 at the half.

The Hawks' intensity, coupled with the Wildcats inaccuracy, saw Wollongong stride out to a 20 point lead in the third quarter, with Perth's defensive frailties allowing the visitors to shoot from distance at will.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP