Wildcats perfect home run continues ... just

The Perth Wildcats clean sheet at home is still intact after downing the Melbourne Tigers in another overtime thriller, 99-97, at Challenge Stadium in Perth tonight.

Wildcats captain Tony Ronaldson let loose with a barrage of three-pointers. The ‘Bear’ was on fire during the first half with five-from-eight. He went a bit quiet in the second half but still managed to knock down a couple more from long range.

Ronaldson had the attempt for match winner on the regular time buzzer with the scores locked at 91-91, however the ball hit the rim and dropped away.

Both teams went into the game as first and second, Melbourne coming off a big win over cross-town rivals South Dragons, while the Wildcats came home with a two-match losing sequence, going down to Townsville and Cairns on their recent road trip.

Ronaldson finished with a game-high 32 points, while Shawn Redhage knocked down 17. Paul Rogers and new recruit Adam Caporn took charge and were superb in front of the vocal home crowd.

Rashad Tucker and Daryl McDonald were amongst the best players for Melbourne. Tucker on his return to Perth, where he played a couple summers ago, was amongst the action from tip-off.

It was the reigning champions’ first match in Perth since the overtime semi final victory back in February. Both teams however were sporting new recruits with Caporn and Brad Robbins newbies for the Wildcats, and Nathan Crosswell and Axel Dench for the Tigers.

Melbourne won first ball and through Tucker were on the board quickly with Anstey firing in for two. Ronaldson responded with a three-point treble. Perth went to quarter time holding a 29-20 lead.

Axel Dench fired in a three-pointer, bringing the Tigers back into the game. He coughed up the ball in a turnover on the next play with Robbins assisting Rogers for a simple lay-up.

Daryl McDonald showed 40-year olds can still play, chipping in with a rebound then swatting the assist from Redhage to Rogers. Tucker, as smooth as ever, dazzled his former crowd with slick moves both in attack and defence.

Another three from Ronaldson pushed the Wildcats lead out to nine, midway through the second quarter. He had another open look at the basket from long-range a minute later but missed it.

Crawford returned the favour on Dave Thomas with a huge swat that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Rogers then nailed a two at the other end to send the Wildcats to a 50-43 advantage at half time.

Ronaldson led all scorers with 19 first half points, Tucker for the Tigers was next best with 10. Caporn was proving a handful to contain with five neatly timed assists. Rogers had gathered six rebounds for the home team, just ahead of the Dave Thomas-Stephen Hoare combination on five apiece.

The third quarter began with Redhage assisting Rogers for a lay-up. Redhage was soon on the foul line but only nailed one-from-two. Tucker found open court at the other end but to the delight of some locals he missed, unlucky bounce off the rim.

Perth led 61-55 midway through the third term. Ronaldson returned and along with Rogers pushed the margin back out to 10. With the clock running down, the Wildcats defence tapered off and let in a three-point treble from Crosswell, Anstey and Corletto – the Tigers took the three-quarter-time lead 70-69.

The Wildcats regained the lead through Ronaldson early in the fourth quarter. Caporn nailed a three from long range to lock the scores at 74-74.

Tucker pulled down an offensive rebound, and then dunked to put the Tigers ahead again. Ronaldson sunk consecutive threes to put the home side ahead again by one.

The see-saw fourth term swung the Tigers way again with McDonald hitting a three and Anstey one from the charity stripe. Rogers returned and sent the crowd wild again with a defensive rebound followed by a lay-up.

Dave Thomas two, followed by Ronaldson’s near miss put the game into extra time.

The five extra minutes was more about defence with Rogers, Redhage, Tucker and McDonald pulling down rebounds. A three-point shot from Caporn early in the extra period was the difference between the teams at the final whistle.

Next match, Perth has the week off to recuperate after an exhausting night and four-game recent road trip. They host the Brisbane Bullets next Wednesday night at Challenge Stadium.

Melbourne hosts the Townsville Crocodiles on Saturday night.

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