Wildcats edge Jackjumpers by a single point in Perth

It came down to the superstar guards and Bryce Cotton delivered once more as the Perth Wildcats had to overcome Jordon Crawford, Will Magnay and the Tasmania JackJumpers to win 89-88.

The JackJumpers did plenty right at RAC Arena on Friday night looking for a fourth straight win finishing the game with 22 offensive rebounds and taking an extra 10 field goals than the Wildcats.

Tasmania also had Crawford (29 points, 5-of-8 three-point shooting) and Magnay (17 points, nine rebounds, three blocks) who were massive.

It always felt like a game that would go down to the wire, though, and after Tai Webster hit a critical three to tie scores up, with 40 seconds to go it was three-time MVP Cotton putting them in front with another from deep.

Tasmania did regain the lead thanks to Magnay, but two Cotton foul shots proved enough with Crawford's attempted three on the buzzer rimming out.

The win improves the 'Cats to 9-6 on the season with Cotton finishing with 28 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Keanu Pinder added 15 points and six boards while Webster, Jordan Usher and Jesse Wagstaff all scored 10.

Perth coach John Rillie was proud of the way his team fought back from a 16-point deficit to find a way to win.

"We continue to find ways of winning games when we're not performing at a level," he said.

"At half-time we just talked about us having nine turnovers and them having 11 offensive rebounds, and if we could just address both of those or curtail it a little bit, we knew we'd be in great shape.

"We did a great job defending them in the half court but they monstered us on the glass in the first half. Our guys battled and then different guys stepped up in different moments so it was a collective win that's for sure."

Perth started on fire in their last home game until January 13 racing to a 9-2 lead, but Tasmania worked into the game and with nine offensive rebounds they led 26-23 after one thanks to the last seven points.

The JackJumpers blew the game open with a 13-0 run early in the second period including a pair of three balls to MVP fancy Milton Doyle on his return after the passing of his father.

Despite Tasmania closing the half with 11 extra shots thanks to 12 offensive rebounds, Perth did well to stay in touch and only trail by eight.

It was a similar story in the third with Crawford threatening to blow it open for Tasmania when he hit consecutive threes, but the 'Cats responded with the last six points to cut the deficit to three heading into the fourth.

Magnay helped turn the game back Tasmania's way in the fourth where he had a dunk up one end, block on Pinder up the other and then grabbed a critical offensive board, one of six for the game.

It all set up the thrilling finish with the 12,600 strong Wildcats home crowd going home happy after another heart stopping ending.

JackJumpers coach Scott Roth was philosophical afterwards as his team prepares to host the Sydney Kings on Sunday.

"It was exciting and I loved it. It was an exciting but they made a few more plays down the stretch than we did," he said.

"That's basketball, I thought it great to be in it and give them a lot of credit. We just didn’t finish a few plays there at the end and the basketball gods sometimes reward you, and sometimes they don’t."

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 11

PERTH WILDCATS 89 (Cotton 28 , Pinder 15, Wagstaff 10, Usher 10, T Webster 10)

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 88 (Crawford 29, Magnay 17, Doyle 10, Drmic 10)

BOX SCORE