NBL27 Round 5 Match Report | Wildcats vs KIngs

The Perth Wildcats battled hard on the road, with the Sydney Kings stretching the margin late in the fourth term to secure a 102-81 win at Afterpay Arena.

Perth fought back from a 16-point second-quarter deficit to get within four early in the third, then mounted another challenge to cut the gap to seven with five minutes remaining.

FIRST HALF

Anthony Dell’Orso and Dylan Windler stepped up early in the absence of Kristian Doolittle and Jo Lual-Acuil, connecting from beyond the arc to bring Perth level at 6-6 as the game got underway.

Sydney took control of the first term shortly after, going on a 10-0 run.

The Wildcats found a response through their outside shooting, with Cameron Huefner, Jesse Wagstaff and Brandon Knight each knocking down threes.

Dell’Orso’s two free throws brought Perth within three late in the quarter, as Sydney scored the final seven points to take a 31-21 lead into the first break.

The Kings continued to build their advantage in the second, with Craig and Andrew Carr helping push the margin to 16.

Windler then drove Perth’s response, scoring seven consecutive Wildcats points through five free throws and a layup off a Brandt assist.

Dell’Orso followed with back-to-back baskets to complete an 11-0 run, cutting Sydney’s lead to five before the Kings steadied to take a 52-43 advantage into half-time.

SECOND HALF

Perth carried that fight into the third quarter.

Dell’Orso scored consecutive layups, the second following his own steal, before Brandt twice finished inside from Windler passes to bring the Wildcats within four.

Torrey Craig answered with three straight Sydney buckets, giving the home side breathing room as Perth continued to search for a way in front.

Cam Huefner hit a three-pointer and added another basket to keep the Wildcats in touch, while Windler scored five points late in the term.

Sydney again found the closing baskets, with Will Johnston’s long range three-pointer on the buzzer giving the Kings a 76-63 lead at the final break and igniting the Sydney crowed.

Jimmy Whitt gave Perth a lift to open the fourth, scoring twice inside as Knight added a jumper and Jaron Rillie connected from three-point range.

Rillie then found Whitt for another basket, and the guard completed a three-point play shortly after to fight their way back into the contest and reduce the deficit to just seven with five minutes remaining.

Torrey Craig and Makuach Maluach answered for Sydney, and although Windler’s driving layup kept Perth within nine entering the final three minutes, Johnston’s three-pointer helped the Kings regain control.

Sydney finished strongly from there, stretching the margin in the closing stages to end Perth’s four game winning run.

BOX SCORES

Dylan Windler led Perth with 19 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

Jimmy Whitt provided 15 points off the bench, including 11 in the fourth quarter.

Anthony Dell’Orso added 13 points and Brandon Knight finished with 10 points and six assists.

Playing his 100th Wildcats game against the club where he began his NBL career, Angus Brandt contributed eight points and seven rebounds.

Torrey Craig led Sydney with 26 points and 12 rebounds, with Kendric Davis adding 23 points and eight assists.

The Wildcats return to Perth looking to bounce back against Melbourne United at RAC Arena on Friday, 23 October.