NBL27 R9 Match Report | Wildcats vs JackJumpers

The Perth Wildcats returned to the winners list, defeating the second-placed Tasmania JackJumpers 98-92 in front of the Red Army in The Jungle.

Perth overturned a five-point halftime deficit with a commanding second-half performance, outscoring Tasmania 55-44 after the break to snap a four-game losing run and claim their sixth win of the season.

The Wildcats built a 14-point lead midway through the final quarter and delivered timely baskets down the stretch to close out an important home win.

Brandon Knight led Perth with 23 points and five assists in just under 21 minutes off the bench in his return from a hamstring injury.

Dylan Windler recorded a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Kristian Doolittle contributed 16 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Perth opened the game with baskets from Windler and Cameron Huefner to take a 4-0 lead, setting up a closely contested first quarter.

Tasmania responded through Taran Armstrong and Josh Bannan, with neither side able to establish a significant advantage.

Knight entered off the bench and quickly found his range, knocking down two three-pointers and a floater for eight first-quarter points.

Wagstaff also connected from deep as the Wildcats traded baskets with the visitors. Knight’s floater gave Perth a 19-17 lead inside the final two minutes, with Tasmania scoring the last four points to take a 21-19 advantage into quarter-time.

The JackJumpers extended their lead to nine early in the second term, prompting a Perth response led by Doolittle.

The forward scored seven consecutive Wildcats points, including a step-back triple, to keep the home side within reach.

Windler and Anthony Dell’Orso added baskets, while Wagstaff converted four free throws as Perth continued to work its way back.

Rillie’s three-pointer and a Doolittle floater cut the margin to two with under two minutes remaining in the half. Tasmania answered through Will Magnay and Bannan, with Windler’s late turnaround jumper leaving the Wildcats trailing 48-43 at the main break.

Perth lifted immediately after halftime.

Brandt opened the third quarter with a dunk, Rillie scored off a Brandt steal and Doolittle connected from beyond the arc to level the scores at 50-50.

Another Brandt basket kept Perth level, with a Rillie free throw and Windler three-point play pushing the Wildcats ahead 56-52.

The teams continued to exchange the lead, with Knight adding six points during the quarter as Perth maintained its pressure.

Brandt’s persistence on the offensive glass produced the tying basket with just over a minute remaining, beginning a decisive 7-0 finish to the term.

Windler converted three free throws and followed with a turnaround jumper in the closing seconds, completing a 26-16 quarter that sent Perth into the final break leading 69-64.

The Wildcats carried that momentum into the fourth, scoring the first five points through Knight, Elijah Pepper and Brandt to open a double-figure lead.

Brandt added another dunk, while Doolittle and Rillie scored as Perth continued to build its advantage.

Wagstaff’s free throws and a Windler triple stretched the margin to 85-71 with just over five minutes remaining.

Tasmania kept coming, cutting the difference to seven, with Knight answering through a step-back three-pointer to put Perth ahead 93-83 inside the final two minutes.

Windler’s tip-in restored the 10-point buffer with 1:21 remaining, giving the Wildcats another crucial basket as the visitors pressed late.

The JackJumpers narrowed the margin to four in the closing seconds, with Rillie calmly converting both free throws with 14 seconds left to secure the 98-92 win.

The Wildcats return to RAC Arena on Saturday night to face the Illawarra Hawks, with tip-off at 6:30pm.

BOX SCORES

PERTH WILDCATS

Brandon Knight | 23 points, 5 assists
Dylan Windler | 21 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists
Kristian Doolittle | 16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS

Taran Armstrong | 20 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists
Will Magnay | 19 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists
Josh Bannan | 18 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists