JLA dominates for 'Cats in Japan

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr had 27 points 17 minutes as the Perth Wildcats beat the Chiba Jets in Okinawa.

By Chris Pike for NBL.com.au

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr might have only been out there for 17 minutes but was a match winner for the Perth Wildcats with 27 points and nine rebounds in the commanding 98-45 win in Okinawa against Japan's Chiba Jets.

Coming off the NBL Blitz in Bendigo last week where the Wildcats lost both games to the Cairns Taipans and Melbourne United, they have headed to Okinawa this week for two games the Island Games to finalise preparations for NBL27.

The Wildcats might have still been missing Jaron Rillie, Jesse Wagstaff and the yet to be signed third import, but the B.League outfit had no answer for the size and presence of Lual-Acuil Jr.

The Perth centre only was out there for 16:55 for the game but was an imposing force delivering 27 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks on 12/15 shooting from the field for the eventual 53-point victory.

It was a good start at Okinawa Suntory Arena from the Wildcats with 28 points to 18 in the first quarter before another 22 to 13 in the second frame for them to head into half-time leading 50-31.

Lual-Acuil Jr was already proving the difference with 23 points and five rebounds on 10/13 shooting with Elijah Pepper adding nine points while the 'Cats were shooting 57 per cent as a team to 33 from the Jets along with having 26 rebounds to 11.

It was then an even more dominant third quarter with the Wildcats scoring 28 points on 11/18 shooting while holding Chiba to just the three points on 1/11 shooting with six turnovers.

Perth had another 20 points to 11 in the final quarter to win by 53 on the back of shooting 55 per cent to 27 and getting up an extra 10 shots and eight more free throws thanks to 19 offensive rebounds to eight.

Along with the performance from Lual-Acuil Jr, Pepper finished with 12 points and five rebounds with Cam Huefner having built his confidence this off-season in the NBL1 West at the Perry Lakes Hawks and having 17 points on 4/4 three-point shooting.

Anthony Dell'Orso also had nine points and four rebounds, Tana Kopa nine points, seven boards and two assists, Dylan Windler six points, two rebounds and two steals, and Kristian Doolittle four points, five boards and two assists.

CHIBA JETS 45 – PERTH WILDCATS 98

Chiba Jets
Takumi Sato – 17 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
Nate Williams – 12 points, 3 rebounds
Yuki Togashi – 6 points, 4 assists
Kai Sugawara – 6 points, 2 rebounds

Perth Wildcats
Jo Lual-Acuil Jr – 27 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assist, 2 blocks
Cam Huefner – 17 points, 2 rebounds, 4/4 3PT
Elijah Pepper – 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Tana Kopa – 9 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
Anthony Dell'Orso – 9 points, 4 rebounds

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