Wildcats stun Kings on the road in Wagstaff's 500th
2 Feb
1
min read


The Wildcats silenced the 15,000-plus crowd at Qudos Bank Arena, leading from start to finish to prevail 104-97 their second win in three days to complete an impressive Round 19.
The win lifts Perth above the Kings in third spot on the NBL ladder with a 17-11 record with one regular-season game left against Adelaide at RAC Arena next Friday night.
The Wildcats had six players in double digits - including all five starters - in an even team performance.
Four-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton led the way with 30 points to go with four steals.
Tai Webster (12 points and three assists) was energetic off the bench as he builds form after a long injury absence.
Big men Keanu Pinder (12 points and 10 rebounds) and Kristian Doolittle (16 and eight) continued their strong back end of the season.
Import Dylan Windler was another big performer, finishing with 14 points and a game-high six steals.
Wagstaffs in the house. ❤️
— Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) February 2, 2025
Jesse’s mum and sister are among the travelling party from Canberra to Sydney for the special occasion! pic.twitter.com/QQYrKCY45j
The major differential in the rebounds (46-37), offensive rebounds (23-10) and second-chance points (23-10) counts would’ve also pleased coach John Rillie.
In his second game back from an eye injury, Windler drained an early corner three to get his confidence up after a nice assist from Ben Henshall who was already on the board.
Cotton then had his first points with a short-range floater before an and-one from Henshall.
Windler had his second triple midway through the opening term, this time from way downtown.
Doolittle’s and-one put the Wildcats up 18-8 with 5:30 to go before quarter-time.
Sydney hit back with a run of their own before late three-pointers from Elijah Pepper and Cotton got it back out to a 32-21 lead by quarter-time.
Wagstaff checked in for his 500th game to start the second quarter, in front of family from Canberra.
Wagstaffs in the house. ❤️
— Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) February 2, 2025
Jesse’s mum and sister are among the travelling party from Canberra to Sydney for the special occasion! pic.twitter.com/QQYrKCY45j
His longest current teammate Cotton turned it on not long after, with seven points in less than three minutes to jump to a game-high 12.
Henshall was also in everything, jumping for offensive rebounds and driving to the basket to join Cotton in double digits.
Leading 56-48 at half-time, Windler made it three from three from long-range to put the Wildcats up by 11 early in the third.
The Wildcats were dominating the offensive-rebound count and making the most of it with plenty of second-chance points.
Webster was having a real impact at both ends of the floor in his second back from a hamstring issue.
With the Kings coming back late in the quarter, Wagstaff drew a trademark charge at one end before hitting a three at the other to get the margin back out to 10.
Cotton knocked back his fifth three just before three-quarter time to take his tally to 21 and the Wildcats’ advantage to 85-74.
BC on the buzzer. 🎯
— Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) February 2, 2025
Watch live on ESPN & 10. pic.twitter.com/ZXNcl7jVJb
That lead was up to 15 by early in the final term as MVP Jaylen Adams fouled out for the Kings.
It didn’t get below double digits in the last as the Wildcats enjoyable a memorable and important victory on the road.

1 Jun
Henshall and Pepper Named in Boomers Squad for Perth Qualifiers

29 May
Perth Wildcats NBL27 Schedule Revealed

28 May
Wildcats Association Series | Kiara Hughes, Warwick Senators

28 May
Perth Wildcats Partner with Defence West

27 May
Wildcats Bound for Bendigo NBL27 Blitz

26 May
NBL27 Off-Season Weekly Wrap | May 26

25 May
Rio Tinto Wildcats Academy News

20 May
NBL27 Off-Season Weekly Wrap | May 20

20 May
Perth Wildcats Take Leap for Life for Breast Cancer Care WA

19 May
Wildcats High Performance Recognised in Groundbreaking Research

14 May
COO and GM Danny Mills on The West Sports Show

13 May
NBL27 Off-Season Weekly Wrap | May 13

12 May
Wildcats Bolster Basketball Operations with Junior Viranatuleo

11 May
Elijah Pepper on NBL NOW

7 May
Wildcats Association Series | Joshua Davey, Lakeside Lightning

6 May
NBL27 Off-Season Weekly Wrap | May 6th
Support your team with the latest gear
Grab your latest team releases before they're gone.

Get the latest Team Updates
Breaking news & special offers. Direct to your inbox.


