Match Report: Wildcats vs United Rnd10 NBL26

Melbourne struck first through an aggressive drive from Walker before Perth settled through Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. who scored against his former club and immediately made his presence felt defensively.

Dylan Windler and David Duke Jr found early touches but Melbourne’s early pace and opportunistic scoring from Milton Doyle and Finn Delany created a small buffer.

Kristian Doolittle dragged the Wildcats back into the contest out of the timeout. He knocked down a midrange jumper then stepped out to hit a three that stabilised the group. Ben Henshall followed with a steadying bucket and a late three point play from Windler cut what had been a seven point margin to just two at quarter time with Melbourne ahead 24-22.

The second quarter carried the same rhythm. Dash Daniels showed impressive composure for United while Doyle and Walker continued to pressure the rim.

Perth stayed calm and continued to work through their sets. Lual-Acuil Jr. operated strongly inside, Okwera stepped into a big three and Windler kept the Wildcats within arm’s reach. Perth’s perfect free throw shooting through the half was crucial as they went 11/11 at the stripe.

Melbourne closed the half ahead 51-47 but nothing between the sides felt settled.

The third quarter was a genuine momentum tug of war. Perth opened with beautiful ball movement that ended in a clean Duke Jr. corner three. Doyle hit straight back for Melbourne as he had all game but Perth kept finding answers. 

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. anchored the defence and added timely baskets before Doolittle levelled the score at the line. Seconds later he pushed the ball up the floor and found Sunday Dech in rhythm for a three that gave the Wildcats their first lead since the opening minutes.

Melbourne United replied through Bowen and Perth responded again through Okwera as the scoreline swung constantly. 

Kristian Doolittle took a knock to the calf and left the floor late in the third but the Wildcats remained composed. Duke Jr finished the quarter with important free throws before Edwards scored on the final possession to give Melbourne a narrow 74 -73 lead entering the fourth.

In a moment the Red Army would love to see, Doolittle returned to start the fourth and he immediately reignited Perth’s interior presence.

Chris Goulding who had been quiet for most of the night opened the term with a needed bucket for Melbourne, however Lual-Acuil Jr. and Duke Jr. again attacked inside to keep Perth close.

Melbourne generated a key steal out of a Wildcats timeout and stretched their margin slightly. From there both teams traded baskets until Goulding finally connected from long-range in a moment that shifted momentum and pushed Melbourne ahead by six with five minutes to play.

United’s offensive rebounding began to tilt the game. Bowen and Walker capitalised on second chance opportunities and despite Henshall knocking down two clutch free throws to cut the margin to three Melbourne continued to control the glass.

Doyle saw a potential momentum changing three roll out but United secured possession again and Bowen finished another put back. Walker then hit a corner three inside the final minute for Melbourne’s largest lead of the night. Perth were forced into their final timeout and United closed it out from the free throw line.

The Wildcats pushed the number one team in the league for all four quarters with Melbourne’s second chance scoring and timely shot making the difference late. The Wildcats will welcome the chance to see United again at RAC Arena on December 4 where the Red Army will be ready to lift them once more.

BOX SCORES