Hunter is collector of three-balls and road wins

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South East Melbourne Phoenix stole a dramatic one-point road win at RAC Arena in Round 13 of NBL26, overcoming a game they trailed for more than 34 minutes to edge Perth 77–76.

The Wildcats controlled long stretches, leading by as many as 16 and holding the advantage for 34:53, but Phoenix’s third-quarter surge flipped the contest and set up a tense finish.

Perth led 40–26 at halftime and still held a nine-point edge at the main break rhythm, but Phoenix exploded for 31 points in the third quarter, swinging momentum with perimeter shooting and offensive rebounding. Despite Perth regaining composure in the final term, they couldn’t land the decisive basket late, with Phoenix executing just enough at both ends to close it out.

"Heavyweight fight," Phoenix head coach Josh King said.

"First off, it was two really good basketball teams going back and forth. I thought for a lot of that game Perth really, really did a good job of junking their defence up, making us play in the mud a little bit. I think in the second half though – especially in the second half – we were able to do a couple of things, get some more quality looks, and then we were able to put stops together on defence.

"Really proud – just really proud of the effort that my team came up with. It’s a tough place to play against a really good team who is playing a little bit in desperation mode right now, and again, just really proud of the entire group to find a way to win this game."

Another game, and another blown double digit lead for the Wildcats. Perth blew a game-winning lead against the Adelaide 36ers 12 days ago and history repeated itself against the Phoenix.

The Wildcats held South East Melbourne to just 26 points in the first half but gave up 51 in the second including an explosive third quarter by Phoenix big man Jordan Hunter, who is on a three-point tear this season.

"Two different games again – first half and second half," Wildcats head coach John Rillie conceded.

"We talked about them coming out with a level of physicality and them probably being more aggressive, hunting threes. That’s who they are, that’s how they play. We just didn’t respond to that consistently enough.

"Whether you want offensive rebounds, 50–50 balls, things like that – that’s what allowed them to stick around when we had that double-digit lead.

"We’re all emotional right now because the game’s just fresh. But when you get up 12, 13, 14, it comes down to offensive possessions – what’s the quality of the shot you get?

"Then at the other end, there was one towards the end of the third quarter where Daniel Foster gets two offensive rebounds. Those plays just add up and build up. We just had too many of those in those moments.

"We have to respect every possession on both sides of the ball a little bit more with the way that we’re playing right now."

Key Details

Box Score: South East Melbourne Phoenix 77, Perth Wildcats 76 (Final)
RAC Arena – Perth
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Attendance: 10,802

Key Performers

Perth Wildcats

• David Duke Jr – 21 points, 5 assists, 8–13 FG
• Elijah Pepper – 17 points, 2 threes
• Jo Lual-Acuil Jr – 15 points, 6 rebounds
• Dylan Windler – 10 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists

South East Melbourne Phoenix

• Jordan Hunter – 18 points, 8 rebounds, 4 threes
• Nathan Sobey – 16 points, 5 assists, 4–9 from three
• Angus Glover – 10 points, 6 rebounds off the bench
• John Brown III – Defensive impact with 2 steals, 3 offensive boards

Team Statistical Snapshot

• Shooting:
  • Perth: 41.2% FG │ 25.0% 3PT │ 70.0% FT
  • Phoenix: 35.0% FG │ 27.0% 3PT │ 78.6% FT
• Rebounds: 46–46 (Phoenix 19 offensive rebounds)
• Turnovers: Perth 13 │ Phoenix 11
• Lead Changes: 10

Turning Points

• Third Quarter: Phoenix’s 31–20 period erased a double-digit deficit and reshaped the game.
• Offensive Glass: Phoenix’s 19 offensive rebounds generated critical second-chance points despite lower shooting efficiency.
• Late Execution: Perth had opportunities after holding the lead most of the night but couldn’t convert late possessions.

For Perth, this was a frustrating loss after controlling tempo and territory for most of the contest, undone by a single lapse quarter and missed late chances. For South East Melbourne, it was a resilient road win built on toughness, rebounding, and timely shot-making – the kind of result that can anchor a season.