Injury-hit Wildcats go down to United

Missing regular starter Tai Webster (calf) and star import Dylan Windler (Achilles), the Wildcats couldn’t contain a powerful United outfit.

With Webster sidelined, WA young gun Ben Henshall got his first starting opportunity and made the most of it.

Henshall finished with 12 points, with Kristian Doolittle (12 points and seven rebounds) and Keanu Pinder (10 points and 11 rebounds) also reaching double digits.

Hyrum Harris was on song early, scoring the Wildcats’ first points of the next before causing a United turnover with the next play.

Pinder looked desperate to atone for his quiet game against Sydney, making his presence felt at both ends of the floor, on the way to a double-double.

But it was the visitors going on a hot streak to finish the opening term on their way to a 31-22 lead, with Wildcats captain Jesse Wagstaff’s buzzer-beater three easing the pressure.

Henshall then started the second like Wagstaff finished the first before following it up with a tough floater.

Former Adelaide 36er Todd Withers, a nominated replacement player for the injured Dylan Windler, got his first points as a Wildcat with a triple midway through the second quarter.

Henshall was providing most of the Wildcats’ second-quarter highlights on the way to a dozen points for the half, but his team still trailed 64-41 at the break.

Hyrum Harris was putting his body on the line in the third quarter like usual in a bid to spark his team.

Kristian Doolittle joined Henshall in double figures before three-quarter time, but United’s lead continued to grow to 83-54 with a quarter to play.

Pinder had some nice moments as well but Melbourne were too strong overall, continuing their dominance at RAC Arena.

The Wildcats hit the road on Saturday for back-to-back away games against Tasmania JackJumpers (in Hobart on Sunday) and Cairns Taipans (in Cairns on Thursday).