Jason Smith scored a career high 30 points in the Titans 86-83 win over the Wildcats.

Titans Down Wildcats in a close Finish

Posted: Sat Nov 28, 1998 at 9:38 PM ET

The Victorian Titans moved into outright second tonight with a thrilling 3 points victory over the Perth Wildcats at Melbourne Park. It took a career high 30 points from guard Jason Smith to get the home team over the line, the Wildcats leading by 4 with just over 2 minutes remaining. Smith poured in 11 fourth quarter points including a trey with just over a minute and a half to play that gave the Titans a three point lead. The Wildcats one the other hand went cold when it mattered and after winning the third quarter 28-16 let the Titans turn the tables in the fourth with a 29-18 quarter of their own.

After winning the previous night in Canberra, the Wildcats needed to upset the Titans in order to keep them within reach of the top 6. But in the first quarter they looked anything but a play off team, only scoring a poultry 11 points in the opening 12 minutes. The Titans scored 20 but they couldn't maintain their 9 point lead in the second Paul Rodgers and Clint Mcdaniel combining for 14 in the quarter to help the Wildcats to a 26-21 quarter. Jason Smith had 13 at the half but he was matched by Paul Rodgers who had 11, the Wildcats backcourt duo of Ricky Grace and Clint Mcdaniel combined for 16 in the first half. The third quarter was a huge one for perth, Clint Mcdaniel had 13 to set the Wildcats up for a much needed victory. Leading 65-57 at the three quarter time break and with Clint Mcdaniel and Paul Rodgers on fire the Wildcats looked the goods. But Jason Smith and the Titans had other ideas, they slowly cut their way into the Wildcats lead and were within a point with just over 2 minutes to play. Then Jason Smith gave the Titans the lead with a big three point bomb inside the final minute and a half. The Wildcats had several chances to tie or take the lead in the last minute but missed on all their three point attempts. All they could do was send the Titans to the line, the Titans meanwhile were determained to give the Wildcats another chance. They missed 2 of 4 free throws in the last 30 seconds and Ricky Grace had a chnace to tie with a half court shot on the buzzer, he could only manage to hit the top of the backboard and the Titans collected their fifth win of the season.

Video:  Jason Smith picks off the Wildcats inbounds pass and goes the length of the court for a left handed slam.
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