Pinder dominates as Wildcats storm home against Phoenix to book semi-final spot

The Wildcats stormed home from a five-point third-quarter deficit to prevail 122-105 at Perth High-Performance Centre in Mt Claremont.

Keanu Pinder dominated in both the first and third terms on the way to a career-high 35 points to go with 11 rebounds.

Pinder hit three of three from long-range and 11 of 13 from the field, scoring 16 points in the third quarter and a dozen in the first.

It was the in-form big man’s fourth double-double in five games.

His two massive blocks in the third quarter were also crucial in helping re-gain the ascendancy.

Kristian Doolittle joined Pinder in double-double territory, finishing with 20 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in less than 23 minutes due to foul trouble, while Dylan Windler (13 points, nine rebounds and three blocks) fell one rebound shy.

Recently-crowned five-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton was also influential, scoring 27 points including 14 of 15 from the free-throw line.

The Wildcats dominated the rebounds count 57-36 which was a feature of their game.

Perth ran away with the contest in the end, going up by as much as 23 before resting their stars and giving some youngsters valuable time on court.

Pinder opened the scoring for the Wildcats with an and-one to kickstart a 16-0 run.

Pinder was also pulling down boards at the defensive end and hit a big three-pointer in a stunning start.

Windler and Cotton were also on-song from long-range in Perth’s stunning return to the old Challenge Stadium.

Pinder was up to a dozen points within five minutes before the visitors got on a roll themselves thanks to Angus Glover’s sharpshooting.

A 14-0 run from the Phoenix had the score back at 20-18 before a couple of steadying free throws from Cotton.

They even took the lead briefly before the Wildcats hit back through Doolittle who made it 29-28 at the break.

Doolittle joined Pinder in double digits midway through a see-sawing second term on the way to 12 points for the quarter, with his work on the glass also important.

Hyrum Harris made the most of his court time late in the first half with a couple of impactful plays but it was the Phoenix up 67-62 at half-time.

It was bucket for bucket to start the third quarter with neither team able to get on a run.

Pinder re-captured his first-quarter form, following up a massive block with a score-equalling basket to make it 74-apiece.

He nailed an important triple with four minutes left in the term as well, just as Phoenix looked like breaking away.

He remarkably equalled the score four times on his own for the quarter while helping put opposition big man Jordan Hunter in foul trouble.

The Wildcats took control late in the third quarter and never looked back, earning themselves a spot in the play-offs rather than having to back up again on Sunday against the winner of Adelaide and Sydney.

Dates for the semi-final series between the Wildcats and United are yet to be locked in, but will be after next week’s FIBA break.