Perth Wildcats vs South East Melbourne Phoenix: Wildcats Hold On for 92-88 NBL Win

Perth Wildcats opened their National Basketball League campaign with a gritty 92-88 victory over the South East Melbourne Phoenix at RAC Arena on Friday, October 2, 2026. In a contest that swung back and forth across all four quarters, the Wildcats used a decisive third-quarter burst and a composed closing stretch from Bryce Cotton to survive a late Phoenix rally and secure an important early-season result.

The win gives Perth a 1-0 start to the 2026-27 NBL season, while South East Melbourne begins 0-1 after pushing the home side to the final possession. The Phoenix led at halftime and briefly snatched the lead again inside the last five minutes, but Perth’s execution at both ends of the floor proved decisive when the game tightened.

Match Overview

Tip-off was scheduled for 19:30 local time, and the game quickly settled into a physical, high-tempo rhythm. Perth came out aggressively on the glass, while South East Melbourne answered with quick ball movement and perimeter shooting. Neither team led by more than eight points until the third quarter, and the final margin remained in single digits throughout the fourth.

• First quarter: Perth 24-22
• Second quarter: Phoenix 24-20 (halftime: Phoenix 46-44)
• Third quarter: Perth 26-20 (three-quarter time: Perth 70-66)
• Fourth quarter: 22-22 (final: Perth 92-88)

After trailing 46-44 at the main break, Perth tightened its defense in the third period. The Wildcats held the Phoenix to 20 points in that quarter and forced several late-clock attempts, turning a two-point deficit into a four-point advantage heading into the final term. That cushion proved just enough.

Key Moments

South East Melbourne opened the fourth quarter with an 8-2 run to briefly reclaim the lead, silencing the RAC Arena crowd. Nathan Sobey sparked the surge with a pull-up three and a driving assist, and the Phoenix looked poised to steal control of the game.

Perth responded through its veteran leaders. Bryce Cotton knocked down a mid-range jumper to settle the offense, then Keanu Pinder grabbed a crucial offensive rebound and converted a putback to restore the Wildcats’ advantage. With under three minutes remaining, Pinder also came up with a key block at the rim that denied the Phoenix a chance to tie.

The decisive sequence came in the final minute. Leading 88-86, Perth forced a contested three-pointer and secured the rebound. Cotton then hit two free throws to push the margin to four, and South East Melbourne could not convert on its final possession. A late Phoenix basket made the score 92-88, but Perth had already done enough.

Tactical Story

Perth’s interior dominance was the defining feature of the win. The Wildcats scored 46 points in the paint and won the rebound battle 42-36, including a 12-8 edge on the offensive glass. Pinder and the Perth frontcourt consistently punished South East Melbourne’s smaller lineups, especially when the Phoenix shifted to a switch-heavy defensive scheme.

South East Melbourne stayed in the game with three-point shooting and transition offense. The Phoenix hit 14 triples and forced 15 Perth turnovers, turning several of them into quick points. But their half-court offense stalled late, and they managed only two field goals in the final three minutes.

The Wildcats also controlled the free-throw line. Perth shot 18-of-22 from the stripe, while South East Melbourne finished 12-of-16. In a four-point game, that six-point differential proved critical. Perth’s pick-and-roll coverage with Cotton and Pinder generated clean looks down the stretch, while the Phoenix were left searching for a reliable late-game scoring option.

Standout Players

• Bryce Cotton (Perth Wildcats): 28 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists. Cotton shot 10-of-20 from the field and hit four three-pointers, including the steadying jumper in the fourth quarter.
• Keanu Pinder (Perth Wildcats): 18 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks. Pinder’s five offensive boards and late defensive play were among the biggest factors in the win.
• Kristian Doolittle (Perth Wildcats): 12 points, 7 rebounds. Doolittle provided valuable two-way minutes and helped Perth match the Phoenix’s smaller frontcourt.
• Nathan Sobey (South East Melbourne Phoenix): 24 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds. Sobey kept the Phoenix in striking distance with timely shot-making and aggressive drives.
• Matt Hurt (South East Melbourne Phoenix): 19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 three-pointers. Hurt stretched the floor and gave Perth problems with his mobility at the center position.

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