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Live sport on SN this weekendHot Pepper stays cool as Wildcats edge the Phoenix
Steve Barrett, AAP • October 3rd, 2026 7:52 am
Elijah Pepper was the toast of the Wildcats after his cool finish helped them beat SEM Phoenix | Photo: Richard Wainwright/AAP
Elijah Pepper was cool in the clutch as the Perth Wildcats moved up to second position on the NBL ladder with a 92-88 victory over South East Melbourne Phoenix.
Pepper top-scored with 25 points at Perth's RAC Arena on Friday night, while Kristian Doolittle and Anthony Dell'Orso added 22 each.
With the Wildcats up by two points in the dying stages, and the Phoenix forced to play the foul game, Pepper had ice in his veins, swishing four-straight free throws inside the last 7.6 seconds.
Elijah Pepper takes the plaudits after sinking one of his key late free-throws | Photo: Richard Wainwright/AAP
"We had contributors in big moments all over the place tonight," Perth coach John Rillie said.
"Great team win. We stayed with it."
Ominously, Perth prevailed even without prized ex-NBA playmaker Brandon Knight, who landed in Australia on Wednesday but did not attend the match due to illness.
Meanwhile, fellow point guard Jaron Rillie, playing his first game of the season, was put on ice at the main break to manage his troublesome calf.
Import Skylar Mays scored 15 of his team-high 17 points in the first half for the Phoenix, who continued their perimeter shooting woes, going 12-of-45 from three-point range, after their historic 4-of-41 against Melbourne United last Thursday.
Rival imports Doolittle (10 points) and Mays (nine) were active in the opening period, at the end of which the Wildcats held sway 26-24.
Jesse Wagstaff played his part in the Wildcats' win, still going strong at 40 | Photo: Richard Wainwright/AAP
The second stanza featured multiple lead changes, ending with 40-year-old Jesse Wagstaff burying a late trey to put the Wildcats back in front 48-46 at halftime.
It was a similar tale in the third term, Perth threatening to seize control and the Phoenix - guided by reserve Akech Aliir - reeling the home side back in.
Dell'Orso's tough, tie-breaking three-point play with 7.4 seconds left in the third quarter put Perth in front 70-67, before they held on narrowly in the fourth.
"Credit to Perth, they made more winning plays than us," SEM coach Josh King said.
"They controlled it and deserved to win.
"We're not shooting the basketball well right now."
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