RETURNING role players and a change in the starting lineup for the Perth Wildcats preceded a thrilling win over the in-form SEM Phoenix last night, the home side storming home to win by a single point in a potential finals preview.

Perth entered off the back of two consecutive losses, and having dropped down to fifth place on the NBL ladder, the Phoenix overtaking them in the standings. South East Melbourne had won five of their last six games and were surging towards finals, shaping this clash up to be a blockbuster. 

The sides were evenly matched through two quarters, no side taking more than a four-point advantage at any point. Matt Hurt started off hot, scoring 10 points in the opening term and the two sides could not be split going into the main break, deadlocked at 49-49.

South East Melbourne stamped their authority and continued their superb form in the third period, posting 28 points to Perth’s 17. The visitors started the quarter on an 11-6 run from an Owen Foxwell five-point surge and then back-to-back threes from Joe Wieskamp, before Perth returned the favour, tying things up with a little over four minutes remaining in the term. From there, the Phoenix went on a 17-6 run in the final four minutes, capped off by a Nathan Sobey triple with three seconds to go that appeared to be the straw that broke the Wildcats back.

With nearly left in the final period, the visiting side extended their lead out to 12 points, and then something flipped for Perth. Over the course of the next five minutes, the Wildcats outscored the Phoenix 19-6 to take a one-point advantage on a Ben Henshall triple. The run continued, eventually becoming 27-8 over a six-and-a-half-minute span, which saw Perth lead by seven points with two minutes remaining.

Both sides struggled to score for the final two minutes, before two free throws by Keanu Pinder appeared to ice the game. Angus Glover had other ideas, knocking down a clutch shot from beyond the arc with just seven seconds to go, bringing the deficit back to two points. Bryce Cotton was then fouled and sent to the line, where he made both, and with Perth leading by four, even a Ben Ayre three-point heave on the buzzer was not enough, and the Wildcats held on for a vital win.

Cotton’s stellar season continued with 29 points and six assists, while Kristian Doolittle’s run of fantastic form also continued, dropping 17 points, 13 rebounds and six assists. Keanu Pinder returned to the starting lineup as Perth gained all their injured players back and responded with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Henshall and the returning Tai Webster added a combined 20 points. 

For the visitors, Hurt got them started early and ended the night with 19 points and seven rebounds, while Jordan Hunter double-doubled with 13 points and 13 rebounds to go with three blocks. Wieskamp and Foxwell combined to contribute 23 points and the Phoenix got adequate scoring punches from bench players Glover Ayre and Next-Star Malique Lewis, all combining to add 34 points.

Perth overtook the Phoenix again on the back of the victory, now sitting in fourth spot and South East Melbourne fifth. Perth is tied with Sydney on wins, but remain behind by two percent, while Melbourne United are one win ahead in second spot. As the regular season wraps up, there are still many possibilities as to which teams will finish in which positions, all competing sides now having two games remaining each.

Perth travels to Sydney next to play the Kings in what could possibly be the most important and impactful game of the season on Sunday morning, while the Phoenix host the Adelaide 36ers to try and continue to climb up the table before season’s end. Perth will then finish the season with Adelaide in Round 20, while the final match of the season between Melbourne and South East Melbourne could be the derby that decides plenty.