BOXSCORE

The Adelaide 36ers have produced the upset of the season with a tough, tight, intense and physical 100-92 win over the Perth Wildcats at Challenge Stadium on Friday night.

In a fitting 100th meeting of these storied rivals, the 36ers picked up their first win of the 2011/12 campaign in captain Adam Ballinger’s 250th game and the return to Perth of championship-winning Wildcat Stephen Weigh.

It was also the Wildcats' first loss of the season after impressive wins over Adelaide, Melbourne and Townsville.

Weigh certainly made his presence felt, nailing a big three to open the game before finishing with 16 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks.

Daniel Johnson, largely through his mid-range game, was outstanding with 22 points. Nathan Crosswell returned from injury and compiled 15 points, 5 boards and 4 assists. Chris Warren also hit 15 points and was impressive against Perth’s pressure defence.

Weigh nailed three triples in the first quarter and the 36ers led 24-18 after one. Despite being rank underdogs coming into the game, they continued on their way in the second period, going up by as many as nine.

Perth forward Greg Hire nailed seven straight points and then some spite came into the game with Adelaide's Weigh and Nathan Herbert called for technical and unsportsmanlike fouls.

That helped to fire the home side up, and when Hire nailed a long range two on the half-time buzzer the Wildcats regained a one-point lead.

The Sixers nailed the first two buckets of the third period and still held onto a five-point advantage heading into the last, but the final period was all Adelaide. Warren took over with five quick points, Johnson scored on two impressive jumpers and the eight-point upset was secure for the 36ers.

Perth Wildcats 92 (Redhage 21, Lisch 15, Hire 12, Tovey 12, Robbins 12)
Adelaide 36ers 100 (Johnson 22, Weigh 16, Warren 15)

Crowd: About 4200 at Challenge Stadium, Perth