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Jekyll and Hyde start is Perth's 'million-dollar question'
Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and Kristian Doolittle of the Wildcats celebrate the win during the round seven NBL match between Tasmania Jackjumpers and Perth Wildcats at MyState Bank Arena on October 29, 2025 in Hobart. Photo: Steve Bell/Getty Images
Highlights
Perth overturned a 17-point deficit to beat Tasmania 95-84 behind Jo Lual-Acuil Jr’s dominance
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Perth's freshly-minted import David Duke Jr was playing and then he wasn't – in the end it didn't matter as the Wildcats went on the road and beat Tasmania JackJumpers 95-84 in Round 7 of NBL26 on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 in Hobart.
The Wildcats moved to 5-4 and Tasmania dropped to 5-4, missing an opportunity to solidify third on the ladder.
"We like where we are, but the minute you get ahead of yourself, that’s when you get smacked in the face," head coach John Rillie said.
"My job over the next few days is to make sure we can repeat this. South East is playing very well, so we’d better be dialled in.
"With the roster we have — guys out, others joining — it’s giving opportunities to our young guys.
"They’re seeing different environments and showing resilience. Dave (Okwera) tonight — maybe his best NBL game yet. Seeing his growth and willingness to stay with us for three years, and Henshall’s composure — probably his best game too. Pepper had a nice patch in the third that gave us good momentum.
"When you’ve got a youthful roster, you ride the waves. It pays dividends later in the season."
Rillie said he needed to arrest the Jekyll and Hyde start to the season.
"We’ve had four losses," Rillie added.
"If you look at the trend, we’ve played well, then had a hiccup, then played well again. We’ve got to break that cycle. That’s the focus moving forward.
"That’s the million-dollar question. A game like tonight gives our young guys confidence, but I’ve also got to keep that confidence in check.
"The veterans — Doolittle, Wagstaff, Sunday — they’re vital in that, both in games and the next morning. They’re true professionals and great leaders."
Key Details
- Result: Perth Wildcats 95 def. Tasmania JackJumpers 84
- When: Wednesday, 29th October 2025
- Where: MyState Bank Arena, Tasmania
- Standings
By the Numbers
- Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (Perth Wildcats) starred with 23 points, six rebounds, three assists and one block in 27 minutes.
- Bryce Hamilton (Tasmania JackJumpers) scored 26 points, had five rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block in 34 minutes.
What Happened
The JackJumpers established early control, jumping out to a commanding 28-16 first-quarter lead at MyState Bank Arena. However, the Wildcats regrouped in the second quarter, outscoring Tasmania 21-13 to trim the deficit to just four points at halftime. The momentum shift was evident as Perth entered the main break with newfound confidence.
Perth's offence exploded in the third quarter as they poured in 35 points to Tasmania's 27, completely turning the game on its head. With 10 lead changes throughout the contest, the teams traded advantages until the Wildcats established control. Perth's largest lead reached 11 points, while Tasmania had led by as many as 17 earlier in the game.
Jo Lual-Acuil Jr delivered an outstanding performance for Perth, scoring 23 points on efficient 10-from-21 shooting from the field. His interior presence proved difficult for Tasmania to contain. Elijah Pepper provided stellar support off the bench with 19 points on a red-hot 7-from-9 shooting, including an exceptional 5-from-6 from beyond the arc in just 22 minutes.
The Wildcats' dominant rebounding edge proved decisive, as they secured 40 boards to Tasmania's 32. Perth particularly excelled on the offensive glass, grabbing 15 offensive rebounds that led to valuable second-chance opportunities. Both teams shot well from three-point range, with Perth hitting at 45.8% (11-from-24) and Tasmania at 40.7% (11-from-27).
Despite Bryce Hamilton's outstanding 26-point performance for Tasmania on impressive 11-from-15 shooting, including 3-from-6 from deep, the JackJumpers couldn't overcome Perth's balanced attack. Josh Bannan (15 points, eight rebounds) and Nick Marshall (15 points) provided solid support, but Tasmania's bench was outscored as Perth's depth proved superior in the final period, where they secured the 95-84 victory with a 23-16 advantage.
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