THE PERTH Wildcats came back from 15 points down to defeat Melbourne United 72-71 at the Margaret River Recreation Centre on Sunday.
Melbourne dominated the first quarter, but a superb defensive effort in the third saw the Wildcats claw their way back, in what would be the game’s deciding period.
Jermaine Beal was big at the offensive end with 18 points, while DeAndre Daniels added 16 and grabbed eight rebounds.
Tom Jervis rejected four shots while Damian Martin nabbed two steals.
Perth were without big man Matt Knight who was a late withdrawal with back soreness.
The Wildcats started the game with intense full-court defence, but it was Melbourne who looked good early, going on a 16-5 run, shooting the ball at almost 70 per cent.
DeAndre Daniels kept his team alive with seven in the first quarter.
There was plenty of fouling going on as Melbourne held onto their double-digit margin for most of the second quarter, but a Jesse Wagstaff and Jermaine Beal inspired Wildcats cut it down to just six at the main break.
It was game-on in the third quarter with Damian Martin and Greg Hire reducing the lead even more, before Jermaine Beal first tied the game and then put the Wildcats up with back-to-back triples.
Things were heating up in the final quarter with tensions boiling over as the game went down to the wire.
The Wildcats kept attacking and Melbourne kept fouling as the final minutes ticked away, and the local favourites converted from the line.
With 10 seconds to go Melbourne’s Lucas Walker sent Beal to the line, where he would hit one of two to put the Wildcats in front by the narrowest of margins.
Melbourne’s Jordan McRae had a chance to win the game but came up short on his attempt at a buzzer-beating three, handing Perth the victory.
Jesse Wagstaff was happy with how his team was gelling.
“It wasn’t a great first quarter but the boys came out in the second, third and fourth looking much better,” he said.
“It’s been great having the whole squad together, Matt Knight was out today, but it’s awesome having DeAndre (Daniels) on the court and Earnest (Ross) running.”
Both teams will be back at it on Monday, September 29, when they clash at the WA Basketball Centre.