Home / Sports / Perth Wildcats Claw Back to Second Place
Perth Wildcats Claw Back to Second Place
3 Oct
Summary
- Wildcats secured a narrow four-point win against South East Melbourne Phoenix.
- Elijah Pepper led the scoring with 25 points, sealing the victory.
- Perth's win propelled them to second place in the league standings.
The Perth Wildcats have surged to second place on the league table after securing their third consecutive victory. They clinched a hard-fought 92-88 win against the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Friday night. Although Perth led for the majority of the game, the Phoenix remained a constant threat, with the Wildcats' largest lead being just seven points.
The Wildcats sealed their four-point victory with a clutch performance of eight consecutive free throws in the closing moments. Elijah Pepper was a standout performer, scoring the final four points for Perth and finishing with a game-high 25 points. This victory marks a significant turnaround for the Wildcats, especially after their substantial loss to the same team earlier in the season.
Kristian Doolittle also contributed significantly with 22 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, while Anthony Dell'Orso matched him with 22 points. The team's current 3-1 record is impressive, particularly with import point guard Brandon Knight yet to join the squad. Coach John Rillie praised the team's collective effort following the game.
Conversely, the Phoenix now hold a 1-3 record after a challenging period that included a disappointing loss. Their offensive struggles were evident, shooting 40% from the field and only 27% from three-point range. American forward Skylar Mays led the Phoenix with 17 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Perth's determined performance.
