NBL27 R8 Ignite Cup Match Report | Wildcats vs Bullets

The Perth Wildcats surged from 27 points down to get within two in a game of two halves at Nissan Arena on Wednesday night, with Brisbane’s hot start proving decisive as the Bullets held on for a 109–104 Ignite Cup win.

Perth outscored Brisbane 61–46 after halftime, winning both second-half quarters to collect two Ignite Cup points after a slow start left the Wildcats chasing the game.

Kristian Doolittle’s consecutive triples brought the Wildcats within two midway through the final term, while Anthony Dell’Orso and Alex Higgins-Titsha helped keep Perth in contention through the closing minutes.

Brisbane’s early scoring proved decisive, with the home side building a 20-point halftime lead and doing enough late to withstand Perth’s charge.

Dylan Windler opened the Wildcats’ scoring with an emphatic dunk before the Bullets moved out to an 11–2 advantage.

Dell’Orso responded with consecutive baskets, while Wagstaff made an early contribution in his milestone 550th game, finishing inside and knocking down a three-pointer.

Elijah Pepper connected from long range, although Brisbane continued to find answers. Cameron Huefner’s persistence on the offensive glass produced a basket on the buzzer, leaving Perth trailing 37–22 at quarter-time.

The Bullets extended their lead early in the second term before the Wildcats put together a more productive stretch.

Dell’Orso landed a triple, then Pepper scored five consecutive Perth points to reduce the margin to 16. Doolittle added a pull-up jumper and found Jaron Rillie for a three as Perth worked to close the gap.

Raul Neto kept Brisbane moving offensively, with a late Lat Mayen triple helping the Bullets take a 63–43 lead into halftime.

The deficit reached 27 midway through the third quarter before Perth lifted its defensive pressure and began to shift the momentum.

Doolittle connected twice from beyond the arc, while Higgins-Titsha provided energy through a steal, offensive rebounds and four points from the foul line.

Huefner added two triples from Rillie assists, then Pepper helped finish the quarter strongly.

After Dell’Orso made two free throws, Pepper drove to the basket before Huefner secured another offensive rebound and found him for a three with four seconds remaining.

Perth closed the term on a 19–5 run, winning the quarter 25–18 to enter the final period trailing 81–68.

The Wildcats carried that momentum into the fourth.

A Doolittle triple cut the margin to eight, with Windler and Pepper also connecting from deep as Perth continued to apply pressure.

Doolittle then took charge, scoring on a drive and landing consecutive three-pointers to bring the Wildcats within two at 89–87 with 5:47 remaining.

Taine Murray answered from long range, although Windler’s steal created a Dell’Orso pull-up basket to bring Perth back within three.

Brisbane responded with nine straight points, with Murray adding another triple and a layup before Mitch Norton’s free throws pushed the margin to 12.

Perth kept coming.

Higgins-Titsha tipped in a Windler miss, Dell’Orso knocked down a three and two free throws reduced the deficit to five with 2:11 remaining.

Higgins-Titsha scored again to keep the Wildcats within five entering the final 90 seconds, before Mayen hit an important three for Brisbane.

Doolittle’s steal and dunk gave Perth another opening. Higgins-Titsha then made two free throws to bring the margin to four with 10 seconds left.

The Bullets held on from the foul line, with Dell’Orso adding a late layup as Perth finished with a 36-point final quarter.

BOX SCORES

Kristian Doolittle led Perth with 24 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, shooting 5/8 from three-point range. Anthony Dell’Orso added 20 points on 7/11 shooting, while Alex Higgins-Titsha and Cameron Huefner provided valuable contributions off the bench.

• Kristian Doolittle: 24 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and two blocks.
• Anthony Dell’Orso: 20 points, five rebounds and two assists.
• Elijah Pepper: 19 points, five rebounds and four three-pointers.
• Alex Higgins-Titsha: 11 points and five rebounds in 14 minutes, shooting 7/8 from the foul line.
• Cameron Huefner: Eight points, five rebounds and two three-pointers.
• Jaron Rillie: Seven points, six rebounds and six assists.
• Dylan Windler: Eight points, six rebounds and four assists.

Tyrell Harrison led seven Bullets in double figures with 16 points, while Raul Neto finished with 10 points and eight assists.

• Tyrell Harrison: 16 points, five rebounds and two blocks.
• Taine Murray: 14 points, three rebounds and three assists.
• Lat Mayen: 14 points, shooting 3/4 from three.
• Jaylin Williams: 13 points, five assists and four rebounds.
• Nate Hinton: 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
• Mitch Norton: 13 points, four rebounds and three assists.

The Perth Wildcats return to RAC Arena on Sunday afternoon looking to get back on the winners’ list against the Cairns Taipans, with tip-off at 2pm.