BOXSCORE


The Perth Wildcats maintained pace with league-leading New Zealand with an emphatic 86-62 victory over the Breakers at Challenge Stadium on Friday night.

After giving up a 21-point lead for the second time this season against the Gold Coast Blaze last week, the Wildcats dominated the Breakers in the first half to lead by 27 points after a buzzer-beating triple from Drew Williamson.

New Zealand then scored 14 of the first 16 points in just over four minutes to start the third period - causing some nervous moments for the sell-out crowd - but the Cats steadied to lead by 25 at three-quarter-time and 24 in the end.

Jesse Wagstaff stepped up with 23 points at 60 per cent, Kevin Lisch added 18 and Damian Martin 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals in an all-round showing from a Wildcats team missing big man Matt Knight, and then losing captain Shawn Redhage mid-game.

Cedric Jackson had 15 points, eight boards and four assists for the Breakers, with Thomas Abercrombie adding 14 points and Mika Vukona 13.

The 'Cats were celebrating Cam Tovey’s 200th game in the NBL and Redhage’s 200th game with the Wildcats. Unfortunately, their captain was taken to hospital after a receiving a poke in the eye from Vukona early in the second quarter.

That didn’t stop the Cats displaying their championship credentials with a scintillating performance at both ends, shooting at 48 per cent while holding the Breakers to just 38.

The Wildcats also forced 20 New Zealand turnovers and won the rebound count 36-30.

While it was a big loss for the Breakers, the defending champions remain on top of the table and will likely welcome back CJ Bruton to take on Cairns on New Year's Eve.

Perth Wildcats 86 (Wagstaff 23, Lisch 18, Martin 11)
New Zealand Breakers 62 (Jackson 15, Abercrombie 14, Vukona 13)

Crowd: About 4400 at Challenge Stadium, Perth