IN ONE of the hottest individual starts to an NBL1 season of all time, Elijah Pepper has recorded his second consecutive 50-point performance for the Warwick Senators, this time leading the team to a 25-point win over the Rockingham Flames.

>>> 2025 NBL1 Men’s | Pepper lights up to douse Flames

In Round 1 of the West Men’s season last weekend, Pepper dropped 50 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in the win over the Lakeside Lightning in a magnificent start to his time in the domestic competition, announcing himself as a player to watch.

He furthered those claims this weekend, backing up his efforts with yet another 51 points against the Flames, and it is hard to recall a better start to an NBL1 season, and his Senators would not be 2-0 if not for his efforts.

A 38-22 opening frame helped Warwick get the upper hand, and although the Flames got it back to single digits at the main break, the Senators dropped 47 points in the third quarter to slam the door shot en route to a big win in a high-scoring clash.

Pepper is now firmly the form player in the country after mesmerising on the offensive end in consecutive weeks, and although it seems far fetched he can keep up this level of production for the entire season, he looks as likely as anyone.

Warwick Senators (134) def. Rockingham Flames (109)

Elijah Pepper – 51 points, three rebounds, six assists, three steals

Pepper again showed how damaging he can be as the number one offensive option on a team, in another performance that will please Perth Wildcats fans ahead of the next NBL season, given Pepper will return for his second campaign with the team.

He started the game with the same aggression he showed last week, and got on the scoreboard after he was fouled on a three-point attempt, making all three free throws, before nailing a pair of midrange jumpers shortly after. Pepper was again fouled on a three-pointer a couple of minutes later, but this time he nailed the shot regardless, opening the chance for a four-point play, although he missed the shot at the charity stripe.

By the time the buzzer sounded for the first change, Pepper already had 18 points to his name, and was again taking over the match. Although he was quieter in the second frame, with the defence sticking to him like glue, the guard was still the difference in the contest, and the Flames had no match to his production on the offensive end.

The third quarter was where Pepper began to truly take over once again, with the guard getting off the chain and helping the Senators drop 47 points in the quarter. His eye was in from behind the arc, and although the defence tried to get a hand in his face on every possession, it was to no avail. Another 20 points in the third quarter ensured Warwick had the game secured before the final term even began.

Pepper finished with 51 points on 16/30 shooting from the field, 9/21 shooting from behind the arc and 10/12 shooting from the charity stripe. It was another explosive performance from Pepper, and there is no one who has started the season better than the 23-year-old.