The Wildcats set the tone from the opening tip with Dylan Windler and Elijah Pepper knocking down early threes, getting away to a red hot 8-0 start.
Jo Lual-Acuil Jr set the tone inside with strong rebounding, a block and a put-back finish, while Kristian Doolittle added defensive pressure and touch around the rim as Perth built a 22 to 14 quarter time lead.
New Zealand responded strongly in the second, lifting their defensive intensity and pushing the pace.
Parker Jackson-Cartwright drove much of their momentum, earning repeated trips to the line and helping the Breakers close the gap. Perth were forced to absorb a stretch of turnovers and tough shots as New Zealand briefly edged ahead.
Ben Henshall shifted the tide with attacking drives and important defensive rebounds, Pepper steadied the group with free throws and composure, and Doolittle worked relentlessly on the glass to keep Perth in touch as the game tightened.
The Breakers continued to apply pressure through Rob Baker, Reuben Te Rangi and Rob Loe from long range, but the Wildcats delivered a strong finish to regain control.
With the half winding down, Pepper rose for a confident pull-up three to restore breathing room, as the Wildcats went into halftime 43-38 in front, setting up a big second half at RAC Arena.
The third quarter became a swing of momentum, with multiple lead changes as both teams punched back.
In his first game playing in front of the Red Army at RAC Arena, David Duke Jr attacked relentlessly at the rim and set the tone defensively,
The Red Army kicked into another gear as Elijah Pepper delivered a highlight block, and Henshall finished a solid three point play through contact.
With the game in the balance, veteran captain Jesse Wagstaff drew a foul late and hit both free throws to give Perth a hard earned 64-60 lead heading into the final term.
The final term belonged to the Wildcats, and especially to Kristian Doolittle.
Doolittle took over the final term, crashing the glass, guarding multiple matchups and delivering when it mattered most. He buried three big triples, added a smooth fadeaway and a pull up jumper as Perth finally broke the game open.
Elijah Pepper continued to apply pressure with steals and important rebounds, while David Okwera energised The Jungle with a strong dunk that had the Breakers on the ropes.
New Zealand tried to hang in through Rob Baker and Parker Jackson Cartwright, but the Wildcats’ intensity never dropped.
Duke Jr. came up with a key block, Henshall attacked the paint and made good decisions late, and the home side locked in defensively to close out possessions.
Doolittle sealed the night at the line, drawing a foul and knocking down both free throws in the final moments as Perth stretched the margin into double digits. Pepper added two more free throws to finish it off.
The Wildcats outscored the Breakers 22 to 15 in the fourth to finish with an 88-75 win at home in front of the Red Army.
Kristian Doolittle led the night in almost every major category, finishing as the game’s top scorer with 24 points, and the leading rebounder with 14, giving him the only double double of the game.
Parker Jackson Cartwright was New Zealand’s standout with 22 points and 9 assists.
Ben Henshall posted the game’s best plus minus at plus 25, with David Okwera also strong at plus 18.
Elijah Pepper rounded out Perth’s impact players with 13 points and a plus 10.
BOX SCORES
The Wildcats now turn their attention to the Tasmania JackJumpers who they'll play at home on Friday, 21 November.
Get your tickets Red Army and we'll see you next week in The Jungle!
