MATCH REPORT: PHOENIX PULL AWAY LATE IN SEASON OPENER

The Perth Wildcats have opened their NBL27 campaign with a 100-79 defeat to South East Melbourne Phoenix at RAC Arena on Saturday night.

Perth erased a 15-point second-half deficit and tied the game early in the fourth quarter, before the Phoenix pulled away with a decisive finish.

Kristian Doolittle shared game-high scoring honours with 25 points while adding a game-high seven assists and six rebounds. Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. finished with 20 points and eight rebounds, with Elijah Pepper contributing 19 points and three assists.

The Wildcats made a fast start in front of the Red Army, with Lual-Acuil Jr. scoring six early points before Doolittle took control of the opening term.

Doolittle connected on back-to-back three-pointers, while Jesse Wagstaff struck from deep in the closing seconds to give Perth a 24-19 lead.

South East Melbourne responded immediately in the second quarter, opening the period with a 13-1 run as Tanner Krebs and Dash Daniels found their range from outside.

Pepper briefly halted the momentum with a three-pointer, but the Phoenix continued to apply pressure and outscored Perth 30-13 for the term to lead 49-37 at half-time.

The margin reached 15 points early in the third before the Wildcats began to work their way back into the contest.

Pepper completed a four-point play before Doolittle, Jimmy Whitt and Lual-Acuil Jr. helped cut into the deficit.

Wagstaff then took over late in the quarter, scoring seven straight points through a three-pointer, two free throws and a driving layup. His personal run brought Perth within three at 65-62 heading into the final term.

Doolittle scored the opening five points of the fourth, including a pull-up three-pointer to level the game at 67.

Lual-Acuil Jr. tied it again at 69 from the free-throw line, but the Phoenix answered with a 19-4 run to regain control.

Pepper hit two late three-pointers as Perth continued to fight, but South East Melbourne closed out the game strongly to secure the 21-point win.

Krebs matched Doolittle’s game-high 25 points, while Daniels produced 24 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Skylar Mays led the Phoenix with six assists.

HUNGRY JACK’S NBL27

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 100 (Krebs 25, Daniels 24)

PERTH WILDCATS 79 (Doolittle 25, Lual-Acuil Jr. 20, Pepper 19, Wagstaff 11)

Quarter-by-quarter: Perth 24-19, Phoenix 49-37, Phoenix 65-62, Phoenix 100-79