Match Report: Wildcats vs Phoenix Rnd19 NBL26

The Perth Wildcats produced a gritty fourth-quarter surge to defeat South East Melbourne Phoenix 101–93 at RAC Arena on Wednesday night, rallying from deficits at every break to claim an important Round 19 win in the club’s Mental Health Game, presented by Rio Tinto in support of Lifeline WA.

Perth trailed 32–24 at quarter-time, 51–49 at the half and 77–75 heading into the final period, before the Red Army helped lift the home side through a decisive closing stretch.

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr opened the scoring for Perth and made an immediate impact on the defensive end with a big block, before Ben Henshall added an early basket to keep the Wildcats in touch.

With the scores level at 13–13 midway through the term, Dylan Windler knocked down a long-range three and Dontae Russo-Nance chipped in off the bench.

Jesse Wagstaff brought energy after checking in, scoring at one end and coming up with a steal at the other, while a Phoenix coaches challenge on a foul was unsuccessful.

South East Melbourne then found a late rhythm from beyond the arc, hitting quick threes to reach 30 points and forcing Perth into a timeout as the visitors pushed out to 30–18 inside the final two minutes.

Henshall responded straight out of the stoppage by forcing his way to the rim, but the Phoenix took a 32–24 lead into the break. Henshall (6 points) and Lual-Acuil Jr (8) led Perth’s scoring in the opening term.

The Wildcats came out of the quarter-time break with intent, cutting the margin to two within the first 90 seconds as the Red Army lifted.

Lual-Acuil Jr threw down a two-hand slam to ignite the arena, while Windler again found his spot from deep, hitting a three from the same location as his make in the first term to bring his tally to 10 points.

Elijah Pepper’s influence grew across the quarter, stripping Malique Lewis for a steal before later knocking down a three of his own. Pepper then earned a three-shot foul and converted all three at the line as part of a rapid eight-point quarter.

Each Wildcats free throw also carried added meaning on the night, with Rio Tinto donating $500 to Lifeline WA for every made free throw.

Perth briefly hit the front during a strong three-to-four minute run, but Nathan Sobey answered with a three to restore the Phoenix lead.

The Wildcats had the final look of the half but could not convert, and South East Melbourne took a 51–49 advantage into the main break, with $4,500 donated to Lifeline WA by half-time.

Sobey set the tone early after the interval, opening the third with a three to move to 19 points, before Pepper responded from long range to pull the Wildcats back within a point. Pepper hit another three soon after to tie the game at 58–58, with both sides trading baskets as the contest tightened.

Windler generated a key second-chance score off an offensive rebound, but the Phoenix held a narrow three-point lead midway through the quarter.

Sobey then created separation with a deep three followed quickly by a two, stretching the margin to six as he climbed to 27 points.

The Wildcats continued to fight, with Wagstaff spinning inside for a finish and Windler landing a much-needed three to cut the deficit to four.

In the final play of the term, Perth’s ball movement created a strong finish at the rim for Lual-Acuil Jr to close the quarter, but the Phoenix still held a 77–75 lead at three-quarter time. The Lifeline WA donation tally had reached $6,000 by that stage.

Sunday Dech opened the final term with a three to hand Perth a one-point lead, and the game immediately took on a down-to-the-wire feel.

Jordan Hunter missed two free throws for the Phoenix, delivering the crowd free Hungry Jack’s cheeseburgers, before Pepper delivered another big stretch, scoring five quick points (a finish inside followed by a timely three) to take his total to 20.

Perth built a four-point lead with five minutes to play, with Lual-Acuil Jr continuing to make his presence felt defensively, highlighted by another block that had the Red Army roaring. Pepper also drew a key charging foul, before Wagstaff drilled a massive three to push the Wildcats out to a seven-point advantage and force a Phoenix timeout with three minutes remaining.

Windler knocked down two free throws soon after to take the Lifeline WA tally to $7,500, but the finish remained tense. Lual-Acuil Jr fouled out late, with head coach John Rillie challenging the call unsuccessfully, before Henshall came up with a crucial basket to keep Perth in control inside the final minute.

After a Phoenix timeout, Sobey missed a late three, Windler secured the rebound and Pepper calmly converted two more free throws to extend the margin to seven with 25 seconds left.

The Wildcats then ran enough clock to shut the door as Windler capped the night at the buzzer to confirm the 101–93 win as RAC Arena erupted.

Dylan Windler led the Wildcats with 23 points and 11 rebounds, shooting efficiently from the field and sealing the result late.

Elijah Pepper added 22 points, including four triples, while Jo Lual-Acuil Jr finished with 18 points and six rebounds in an influential all-round performance.

Ben Henshall contributed 14 points and nine assists, providing steady control down the stretch and Kristian Doolittle added 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Captain Jesse Wagstaff chipped in seven points in limited minutes, including a crucial fourth-quarter three.

The Wildcats will now turn their attention to the Illawarra Hawks as they travel interstate for the matchup on Saaturday, 31 January.

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