Rillie savvy down stretch, leads 'Cats to road win

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Wildcats guard Jaron Rillie started the season as a development player but finished the Round 15 NBL26 clash against the New Zealand Breakers with poise of a savvy veteran as the visiting Wildcats won 99-91 at Spark Arena on Sunday, January 4, 2026.

It was must-win for the Breakers but they came up short, dropping to 8-14 and 8th on ladder while Perth solidified 5th at 13-10.

Wildcats forward Kristian Doolittle's 21-point performance powered the eight-point victory.

Key Details

• Result: Perth Wildcats 99 def. New Zealand Breakers 91
• When: Sunday, 4th January 2026
• Where: Spark Arena, Auckland
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Kristian Doolittle (Perth Wildcats) starred with 21 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals in 34 minutes.
• Sam Mennenga (New Zealand Breakers) scored 19 points, and had three rebounds and one assist in 28 minutes.

What Happened

Perth established early control with a dominant first quarter, outscoring the Breakers 28-23 behind efficient shooting from the field. The Wildcats maintained their advantage through the opening period, with Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and Dylan Windler combining effectively in the paint and from outside. New Zealand responded in the second quarter, edging Perth 22-20 to trim the deficit heading into the main break.

The third quarter proved decisive as Perth exploded for 32 points while limiting the Breakers to 29. Kristian Doolittle was outstanding during this period, connecting from deep and showcasing his versatility on both ends of the floor. The Wildcats' balanced scoring attack and superior ball movement created numerous open looks, allowing them to extend their lead to double digits entering the final period.

Perth's shooting ability was the difference throughout the contest. They shot an impressive 55.74% from the field compared to New Zealand's solid 50.67%, while completely dominating from beyond the arc with 47.62% accuracy to the Breakers' 36.36%. Dylan Windler was particularly effective from downtown, draining four triples on six attempts, while Doolittle added three more from deep on four attempts.

The Wildcats' dominance on the boards proved crucial, out-rebounding New Zealand 40-29. Jo Lual-Acuil Jr led the way with six rebounds while Dylan Windler cleaned the glass with ten boards, including seven defensive rebounds. Perth's superior rebounding limited the Breakers' second-chance opportunities and created additional possessions for their efficient offense.

Defensively, Perth's rim protection was solid throughout, with Elijah Pepper contributing two blocks while maintaining defensive intensity. The Wildcats forced New Zealand into tougher shots and controlled the tempo for the majority of the contest. Despite Carlin Davison's perfect shooting performance off the bench for the Breakers, going 6-from-6 from the field including 2-from-2 from three, Perth's depth and consistent scoring proved too much to overcome.