Match Report: Wildcats vs 36ers Rnd22 NBL26

Adelaide opened with the first nine points of the game inside the opening two minutes, forcing a Wildcats timeout as Perth struggled to find rhythm against the 36ers’ defensive pressure.

Momentum shifted midway through the quarter with the introduction of Jesse Wagstaff. The Wildcats captain immediately made his presence felt, posting up inside and muscling his way to Perth’s first basket, igniting the Red Army.

Wagstaff followed with back-to-back buckets, providing the energy lift Perth needed. His activity soon extended beyond scoring, producing a steal that led to a David Okwera basket.

Elijah Pepper added to the surge, nailing a three off a Wagstaff assist, while Kristian Doolittle drained a triple to pull the Wildcats firmly back into the contest. A corner three from David Duke Jr. handed Perth control, prompting an Adelaide timeout.

The 36ers steadied late, but Perth edged ahead 19–17 at quarter time, with Wagstaff’s six first-quarter points proving pivotal.

Perth’s momentum carried into the second term. Okwera struck early, while Pepper continued to attack from the perimeter, showcasing his footwork before knocking down consecutive threes to push his tally to nine points.

Wagstaff’s relentless effort anchored the Wildcats’ intensity, drawing loud cheers from the RAC Arena crowd.

Cam Huefner delivered a timely three after entering the game, and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. punctuated Perth’s dominance with a powerful slam as the Wildcats stretched their advantage.

Wagstaff remained influential, connecting from deep off a Duke Jr. assist as Pepper’s offensive rhythm intensified.

Despite a much-needed three from Flynn Cameron for Adelaide, Pepper answered immediately out of the timeout, drilling back-to-back triples as Perth built a commanding 48–34 halftime lead.

Pepper wasted no time after the break, opening the second half with another three to reach 20 points. 

Wagstaff, Pepper, and Duke Jr. continued to drive Perth’s control, with Wagstaff’s all-round impact sparking chants from the Red Army behind the Wildcats bench as he responded in fitting fashion, adding another basket to extend the margin.

Adelaide refused to fade, producing back-to-back baskets late in the third quarter to narrow the gap. Wagstaff’s defensive pressure again surfaced with a strip inside the key, though the 36ers capitalised on the ensuing possession. Perth maintained a 65–58 lead heading into the final term.

The fourth quarter unfolded as a tense contest, with the Wildcats appearing composed yet unable to fully shake Adelaide. Nick Rakocevic emerged as a standout for the visitors, while Wagstaff continued to shoulder the load for Perth, exiting after picking up his fourth foul, finishing with 18 points and seven rebounds to another standing ovation from the home crowd.

With Adelaide pressing, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. delivered a decisive sequence, driving hard to the basket and converting through contact to complete a three-point play that restored an eight-point buffer.

Duke Jr. added stability from the free-throw line, calmly converting both attempts, before Lual-Acuil Jr. sealed the result with a commanding late dunk.

After absorbing Adelaide’s early surge and resisting multiple challenges, Perth end the regular season with an important home win and locking in fourth spot on the NBL26 ladder.

In fitting fashion, Jesse Wagstaff’s influential performance was recognised with the Paul Rogers Medal, awarded as the standout player of the Cattalini Cup.

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