Wildcats down the Kings

The Perth Wildcats have reclaimed top spot, defeating the Sydney Kings 90-81 at Challenge Stadium in Perth tonight.

Perth trailed by 16 points during the second quarter but stormed back, eventually taking the lead in the final minute of the third term.

Shawn Redhage pressed for another NBL Player of the Week award, in a match winning performance he nailed 20 points along with 19 rebounds and eight assists.

Club captain and teammate Paul Rogers is another in contention after hammering down 14 points and gathering 14 rebounds.

Best for Sydney was David Barlow (19 points) and Luke Kendall (15 points, seven assists). Barlow was near unstoppable in the first half with 15 points but was held to just four points after the main break.

Sydney came into the game off a humiliating defeat at the hands of the newcomers, the South Dragons, on Monday, while Perth had contested three overtime thrillers – all at home, winning two of these.

Tony Ronaldson had the honour of grabbing the opening basket. Mark Worthington tried for the Kings at the other end but narrowly missed. Barlow netted the Kings opening points from the free-throw line.

Darren Brooks and Adam Caporn were in foul trouble early, both had two each next to their names after only four minutes. Kings mentor Brian Goorjian subbed the two WA boys – Worthington off for former Wildcat Cameron Tovey.

The Kings lead hit double-figures with quarter-time approaching when Ian Crosswhite sunk his second free throw after being fouled by Peter Crawford. Tovey quickly moved into the leading scorers for Sydney with six, including a long-range three from the court corner.

Rogers brought the margin back to single figures just before the shot clock time ran out, while Barlow push it back out to 13 with a two perfectly timed three-pointers.

Sydney led 30-17 at the first break, a 13-point margin that was soon out to 16 when Worthington got amongst the three-pointers to nail the Kings’ fifth from eight attempts.

The Kings maintained a double-figure lead despite the best efforts of Ronaldson, Rogers and Redhage. The crowd were stunned when Ronaldson copped a dubious foul on Tovey under the basket.

Offensive zone turnovers from Caporn and Brooks were proving to be costly for the home side. Brooks did redeem himself from the charity line, however the Kings held onto the lead when EJ Roland and Kendall made it look so easy in the keyway and from the arc.

Rogers sent a scare through the Wildcats camp when he landed awkwardly inside the last minute of the second quarter. He hobbled to the bench, but shrugged off any concerns and took his place on court for the second half.

Sydney’s lead grew slightly, out to 14 at the main interval. Barlow led all scorers with 15, while Rogers led for the Wildcats with 12 first half points.

With hometown support, Perth made a strong challenge in the third term. Redhage and Crawford led the Wildcats back to within one point, while Ronaldson tied the scores with just on three minutes to play with his first three-pointer.

Redhage put the Wildcats ahead, while Brad Robbins extended their lead with an offensive rebound after Redhage missed his free-throw attempt.

Rogers was influential in gathering seven rebounds combined in both offense and defense during the third term.

Perth led at the final change 66-64. Crawford found the net from deep on four occasions during the final quarter only to have two waved away.

Crawford nailed seven points, the most of any player in the final term, and finished with 18 points while Rogers and Redhage took a stranglehold of rebounds and assists.

Next match, Sydney travels to New Zealand where the Breakers await on Monday, while Perth embarks on a five-game road trip with West Sydney the first stop next Friday evening.

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!