'Cats run wild with 21-0 run in New Year's flogging

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Sharpshooter Elijah Pepper rediscovered his form from beyond the arc as he sparked a 21-0 run to start the third quarter and lead the Perth Wildcats to a dominant 95-75 win over the Brisbane Bullets at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Pepper, who had a sluggish first half, scored 11 of his team's first 14 points out of the half-time break - including three triples - to turn a four-point deficit into a 17-point lead in just five minutes time.

The 24-year-old ended up with 14 points and six rebounds and said he always remained confident in his perimeter shot.

"You just got to keep shooting and eventually the numbers are going to average out," Pepper said in a post-game interview with Ariana Prather.

The Player of the Game in Jo Lual-Acuil, who had 17 points and eight rebounds, said the key for the Wildcats was "not overreacting" to Brisbane's half-time lead.

"In this league, there's no easy games, especially when you're on the road," Lual-Acuil said post-game.

"We respect the Bullets and we didn't think we'd come in here and just blow them away, so, we knew it was going to be a grind, we embraced it and then slowly slow separated ourselves."

Key Details

• Result: Perth Wildcats 95 def. Brisbane Bullets 75
• When: 1st January 2026
• Where: Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
• Attendance: 3,984
• Standings: View NBL Standings

By the Numbers

• Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (Perth Wildcats) starred with 17 points, eight rebounds and one steal in 26 minutes.
• Jacob Holt (Brisbane Bullets) scored 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one block in 25 minutes.

What Happened

The Wildcats established early control, outscoring Brisbane 25-16 in the opening quarter behind efficient shooting from the field. Perth's balanced offensive attack and superior ball movement created numerous scoring opportunities, setting the tone for what would become a comprehensive victory over the home side.

Brisbane responded strongly in the second period, flipping the script with a dominant 28-15 quarter to level the contest at 44-40 heading into the main break. The Bullets' improved three-point shooting and aggressive defense disrupted Perth's rhythm, with the home crowd sensing a potential upset brewing.

The third quarter proved decisive as Perth exploded for 31 points while holding Brisbane to a dismal 11 points. This 20-point differential swung the momentum decisively in favour of the visitors, with the Wildcats shooting efficiently from beyond the arc and dominating the paint. The 31-point quarter showcased Perth's offensive firepower and defensive intensity when fully locked in.

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr anchored Perth's interior presence with an outstanding performance, shooting 6-from-13 from the field while cleaning the glass effectively. His ability to score around the basket and create second-chance opportunities through offensive rebounding proved crucial. Dylan Windler contributed 12 points and six boards, while Elijah Pepper's 14 points including three triples from downtown provided valuable perimeter scoring.

Perth's superior shooting accuracy was the difference, connecting on 44.7% from the field compared to Brisbane's 42.4%. The Wildcats dominated from the charity stripe, converting 19-of-24 free throws at 79.2% compared to the Bullets' 12-of-14 at 85.7%. Perth's 47-35 rebounding advantage, led by 17 offensive boards, created numerous second-chance scoring opportunities that ultimately decided the contest.

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