Wildcats Rally for Gritty Victory Over Phoenix in NBL Clash
Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie has praised the character and unity of his squad following a hard-fought 101-93 comeback win against the South East Melbourne Phoenix at RAC Arena on Wednesday night. The victory came just days after an emotional one-point loss to Melbourne United and a publicised on-court disagreement between teammates Jo Lual-Acuil and Kristian Doolittle.
Team Unity Shines Through Adversity
All eyes were on the Wildcats to see how they would respond to recent challenges. Doolittle had made it clear to media during the week that the pair had reconciled, and Lual-Acuil warmed up in his teammate's number five t-shirt as a public display of solidarity. This renewed cohesion translated onto the court, with both players delivering influential performances.
Lual-Acuil scored 18 points and grabbed six rebounds before fouling out late in the game, while Doolittle contributed 10 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Crucially, Doolittle made a massive defensive play in the final minute, disrupting Nathan Sobey's lay-up attempt that would have reduced the deficit to just one point.
Coach Rillie Lauds Team's Resilience
Rillie emphasised his team's togetherness and character in the face of adversity. "I like to see how we respond. What I am confident in is this group is a together group," he said. "People can write, insinuate and react when some competitors show their feelings about a game. But when we get back practising behind closed doors, this group has character. We've shown that throughout the season."
The coach acknowledged the season's challenges, including four one-point home losses, but highlighted the team's ability to bounce back. "The season has its undulations where it tests you. We've been tested many times. Everyone wants to tell me we have lost four one-point games at home. Well how do we respond? How do we come back the next time?" he remarked.
Key Players Step Up in Crucial Moments
The Wildcats' big names all delivered when it mattered most:
- Dylan Windler led the scoring with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
- Elijah Pepper added 22 points, including four three-pointers.
- Ben Henshall chipped in with 14 points and nine assists.
Perth fought back from nine points down with just two minutes remaining in the third quarter, showcasing their composure in pressure situations. The team handled the tense final minute expertly despite Lual-Acuil's foul trouble.
Strategic Shift Proves Decisive
The Phoenix started strongly, scoring 32 points in the first quarter and building a 12-point lead. They made six of their 11 three-point attempts in that period, creating a clear early advantage. However, the Wildcats adjusted their strategy, focusing on attacking the basket and dominating inside play.
Perth scored 58 points in the paint compared to South East Melbourne's 24, with their aggressive approach paying dividends as they reduced the deficit to eight points by quarter time and maintained momentum throughout the game.
Phoenix Threats Neutralised
Despite strong individual performances from the Phoenix, including Nathan Sobey's 28 points with six three-pointers and John Brown's dominant 20 points and 14 rebounds (nine offensive), the Wildcats managed to contain their threats when it mattered most. This marked Perth's second victory over the second-placed Phoenix this month, keeping them just one game behind fourth-placed Melbourne United in the standings.
Rillie concluded with optimism about the team's postseason prospects: "We haven't played with luck. It is hard to be a champion but these tests will give us an opportunity to participate post-season and see what happens." The win demonstrated that the Wildcats' unity and resilience could be key factors as they push for playoff contention.
