Daniels, Krebs fire Phoenix to first up win

Dash Daniels had a breakout debut for the South East Melbourne Phoenix, posting 24 points and 12 rebounds and making the Perth Wildcats pay for the lack of a point guard in a 100-79 NBL opening night win.

The Phoenix arrived at RAC Arena to open the NBL season on Saturday night missing superstar Nathan Sobey fresh off the best season of his career while new import D'Shawn Schwartz also fouled out early in the fourth quarter.

But South East Melbourne worked on top with a 30-point second quarter on the back of four three-point bombs from Tanner Krebs before they had to withstand Jesse Wagstaff leading a Perth fightback in the third period.

The Phoenix had the answers in the fourth period, though, and it was Daniels showing the way including scoring eight points in the matter of a minute and-a-half to set up the eventual 21-point victory thanks to 35 points in the last.

Daniels is still just 18 years of age, but the move to the Phoenix from Melbourne United while still part of the Next Stars programs looks as though it's going to pay dividends.

He finished the night with 24 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 9/13 from the field, 2/4 from the outside, and 4/4 at the foul line.

Krebs also enjoyed his Phoenix debut having crossed from United in the off-season for 25 points, four assists and three steals with 5/11 three-point shooting.

New import guard Skylar Mays added 16 points and six assists, Angus Glover 10 points, four boards, three assists and two steals, and French big man Yannis Morin eight points and three rebounds.

It was a tough start to the season for Perth who are still awaiting the arrival of newly signed import point guard Brandon Knight.

Kristian Doolittle top scored with 25 points to go with seven assists and six rebounds while Jo Lual-Acuil Jr contributed 20 points and eight boards, and Elijah Pepper 19 points on 4/14 shooting from the outside.

Jesse Wagstaff chimed in with 11 points, but it was a tough night for Dylan Windler (two points, six rebounds) and Anthony Dell'Orso (scoreless, 0/1 shooting, two turnovers).

Kristian Doolittle took charge in the opening quarter for the Wildcats, scoring 13 points on 3/4 shooting from the outside to lead the home side 24-19 by the end of one.

South East Melbourne missed all six three-point attempts in that first quarter but went 5/10 in the second term with Tanner Krebs hitting four of those as they piled on 30 points to go into half-time on top 49-37.

That lead for the Phoenix got out to as much as 15 points in the third quarter too but then the 'Cats fired back and it was all led by 40-year-old games record holding captain Jesse Wagstaff.

Wagstaff hit a big three to spark life into the home team, then took a trademark charge and made another bucket to push the lead to 11 by three quarter-time.

That saw Perth cut South East Melbourne's lead back to 65-62 and the Wildcats had the momentum, but the Phoenix were able to respond even after D'Shawn Schwartz fouled out.

Dash Daniels ultimately proved the difference, making four buckets going to the rack in less than two minutes to take the lead, after Perth coach John Rillie copped a technical foul over a flop call on Elijah Pepper.

From there the Phoenix romped to a strong 21-point win on the road to open the new season.

The Phoenix now have a short turnaround before being away to the Tasmania JackJumpers on Monday night, while the Wildcats host Bryce Cotton, Trevor Gleeson and the Adelaide 36ers on Thursday.

PERTH WILDCATS 79 – SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 100

Perth Wildcats
Kristian Doolittle – 25 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds
Jo Lual-Acuil Jr – 20 points, 8 rebounds
Elijah Pepper – 19 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds
Jesse Wagstaff – 11 points, 2/4 3PT

SE Melbourne Phoenix
Tanner Krebs – 25 points, 4 assists, 3 steals
Dash Daniels – 24 points, 12 rebounds
Skylar Mays – 16 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds
Angus Glover – 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Yannis Morin – 8 points, 3 rebounds