Match Report: Wildcats vs JackJumpers Rnd10 NBL26

The Perth Wildcats made it three straight wins in front of a packed RAC Arena, edging out a resilient Tasmania JackJumpers side 101–95 in a contest that swung through stretches of momentum, clutch shot making and pressure-driven plays.

Tasmania came out firing from deep, with Campbell and David Johnson knocking down early threes to put Perth on the back foot. Kristian Doolittle steadied the Wildcats with a three of his own and then took control through the middle stages, pulling Perth back into rhythm after Tassie’s fast start.

With the scores tied at 18, David Duke Jr rose for a timely three to push the Wildcats ahead while Ben Henshall delivered an important spark with six composed points. After absorbing Tasmania’s early pressure, Perth finished the quarter with control and a 32–28 lead.

The arm wrestle continued early until Duke Jr broke the game open with a corner three and a powerful drive to extend Perth’s lead. Tasmania stayed in touch behind Josh Bannan, who reached 13 points midway through the term, and Majok Deng’s work on the offensive boards tied the game 45-45.

David Okwera answered with a confident triple as the teams continued to trade baskets. At the other end, Sunday Dech delivered a standout defensive half, holding Bryce Hamilton to just five points. Perth carried a 57–52 advantage into halftime.

Deng opened the half with another made three for the JackJumpers, before Duke Jr responded with strong defensive pressure and a three of his own. Lat Mayen contributed valuable minutes as the Wildcats steadied, but the term belonged to the front court.

Doolittle drained a big three that lifted RAC Arena, and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr followed with two powerful finishes inside to stretch Perth’s lead. Bannan pushed himself to 25 points by the end of the quarter, but the Wildcats held an 81–71 buffer heading into the fourth.

Lual-Acuil Jr set the tone immediately with an inside finish before Duke Jr created a key play that released Doolittle for another open three. The Wildcats dictated the pace early in the quarter, but Hamilton began to find his rhythm, hitting a three and scoring at the rim to cut the margin to seven.

Perth answered with a composed run. Doolittle secured a defensive rebound and found Dylan Windler in transition for a cold blooded three. Moments later, Henshall drove into the lane and floated a shot that bounced above the rim before Lual-Acuil Jr guided it in, a sequence that pushed the Wildcats back into control.

The final minutes were defined by toughness at the floor level. Duke Jr and Jesse Wagstaff fought to secure a loose ball as the Red Army erupted behind them. Windler added key hustle plays, and although Tasmania continued to push, the Wildcats managed the closing moments with composure to secure a 101–95 win.

Perth were made to earn this one, but their ability to produce timely buckets, control key defensive possessions and match Tasmania’s competitiveness carried them home. Doolittle’s shot making, Duke Jr’s two way impact, Lual-Acuil Jr’s presence inside and Henshall’s composure all played significant roles as the Wildcats collected another hard fought win in The Jungle.

The Wildcats will now turn their attention to Melbourne United in Melbourne on Sunday.

BOX SCORES