Wildcats regain top spot

scoring from close range.

Hodge combined with Daniel Johnson twice in the space of one minute to push the Tigers up by five, only for Lisch to hit consecutive threes and give his side the lead for the first time since the opening minutes of the game.

It was short-lived though with Rose scoring from beyond the arc and another Hodge dunk restoring the Tigers' six-point advantage.

However the Wildcats closed the half with the last five points to reduce the gap to just one at the long break (38-37).

Neither side was able to break clear in the early stages of the third quarter with the lead changing no less than six times.

It was Hodge's compatriot Rose that inspired the Tigers with nine points in the stanza, while Schenscher was benched midway through the term after racking up four fouls.

Hodge let himself down with a technical foul that allowed the Wildcats to draw level only for the import to respond with a three-point play to keep his side in front.

A superb Rose steal led to him running the length of the court and scoring an easy lay-up to give Melbourne a four-point lead going into the final quarter (62-58).

Melbourne's (11-15) next match is away to Wollongong on Friday night, while Perth (16-11) hosts Townsville on Sunday week in the last match of the regular season.

Melbourne Tigers 78 (Hodge 24, Rose 12, Anstey 10)
Perth Wildcats 84 (Redhage 17, Lisch 17, Weigh 10)
@ The Cage, 6/2/2010. Crowd: 3368