Phoenix Outlasts the Wildcats in Sunday Thriller

The South East Melbourne Phoenix continued their charge up the NBL ladder, holding off a fierce Perth Wildcats challenge for a gripping 94–89 win at John Cain Arena on Sunday.

It felt every bit like a playoff preview — two physical, disciplined sides trading punches deep into the fourth quarter — but the Phoenix, led by Nathan Sobey’s composure, had the final say.

Sobey delivered a game-high 22 points, five rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, including a stunning chase-down rejection on Jo Lual-Acuil Jr in the final minute that sealed the result. Despite a rough shooting night from deep (4/14), his leadership and poise at the line proved decisive.

Owen Foxwell continued his breakout campaign with 20 points and five assists, while John Brown III battled hard inside for 12 points and eight rebounds. Angus Glover (12 points) hit timely shots before limping off with an ankle injury late, and Next Star Malique Lewis contributed 11 rebounds and six assists.

The win stretched South East Melbourne’s streak to four, improving them to 6–2 while remaining undefeated at home.

Perth, coming off a gritty midweek win in Tasmania, pushed the Phoenix to the brink. Kristian Doolittle was immense with 19 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists, while Jaron Rillie added 16 points, seven assists, and five boards. Dylan Windler impressed on return with 15 points and five rebounds, and new import David Duke Jr showed glimpses of his athletic upside before fouling out with eight points and two steals in 17 minutes.

Lual-Acuil Jr endured a quieter outing, held to just seven shot attempts — two in the second half — for 13 points and one rebound under heavy attention from Brown III.

Neither side led by more than six points for the first three quarters in a high-intensity arm wrestle. The Phoenix entered the final term up 75–72 and extended that margin through a Hunter Maldonado lay-up and a Sobey triple.

When Foxwell nailed a long three to stretch the lead to nine, it looked done — until Doolittle’s back-to-back buckets and a Rillie three trimmed it to two in the dying seconds.

But Sobey steadied from the line to ice the contest and keep the Phoenix’s momentum rolling.

The Phoenix now head to Launceston to face the Tasmania JackJumpers on Thursday before the highly anticipated Throwdown against league leaders Melbourne United on Saturday. Perth remains on the road to meet the Adelaide 36ers next Sunday in a Bryce Cotton showdown.

Final score: South East Melbourne Phoenix 94 defeated Perth Wildcats 89.