Doolittle does everything in Wildcats 13pt win

• 2025-26 NBL Team Lists and Roster Tracker
• How to watch every NBL game in the 2025-26 season
• Interactive and live NBL Scores and Schedule here

Wildcats star Kristian Dolittle did everything for now 7-5 Perth as the home team kept the New Zealand Breakers at arms length for much of the 88-75 win in Round 9 of NBL26 on Saturday, November 15, 2025 in Perth.

Doolittle powered the Wildcats with 24 points and 14 rebounds in front of 12,350 fans.

"I’d have liked to win by more — we had a big early lead but turnovers, including mine, let them back in," Doolittle said.

"They scored too much in transition off our mistakes and it became a tight game.

"But winning a game like this is important. It highlights when we’re not disciplined enough, and forces us to become more consistent. That’s our biggest takeaway."

Wildcats head coach John Rillie has brought in new import David Duke Jr to replace import Mason Jones and still 12 games into the season he said Perth was still a work in progress post five-time MVP Bryce Cotton leaving the club for Adelaide.

"We’re trying to figure out who we are," Rillie said.

"In the fourth quarter, 'Do' had a great stretch that opened the game up. Our attack on the offensive glass was big — (David) Okwera was huge for us. Different guys stepped up at different moments to keep us in touch, and then Do’s fourth quarter really opened the game."

Is Doolittle now "the guy" in Perth?

"I’d love that, but he also has to be himself," Rillie added.

"Being “the guy” can look different each night. Tonight was probably the first time we put him on Parker (Jackson-Cartwright) down the stretch.

"His impact can vary — scoring, defending, rebounding — but he can win us games in different ways. And as you said, we have different guys capable of stepping up. Pepper’s three before halftime was a big moment. Those plays build momentum and confidence through a season."

The Breakers dropped to 4-10 and ninth but are only -4 in points differential. They just can't find a way to close out close games.

"The game lasts 40 minutes. It’s a game of runs. You can always look back and think about what we could have done differently, but those small moments decide things," Breakers head coach Petteri Koponen said.

"In the big picture: we couldn’t get to the line, we got bullied on the glass, we clearly lost the rebounding battle. That’s why we couldn’t take this road win.

"Physicality was a big topic against Perth. It was similar to what happened last time — they bullied us on the offensive rebounds.

"They had 22 offensive boards, and they got to the free-throw line way too much. We had six free throws; they had 26. We lost that battle.

"And then Doolittle — he’s a talented player. He took over in the last quarter, made tough pull-ups, and won the game for Perth. We had our moments, but on the road against a team like Perth, you almost have to play a perfect game, and we couldn’t do that tonight.

"Basketball is imperfect. There are mistakes all the time. Those little things — we have to be better, especially under pressure, executing for better shots. But credit to Perth. Doolittle made tough shots in the end and won the game.

"We didn’t start well. We gave them confidence early. They had 13 offensive boards in the first half. With the way we want to play, we need those rebounds to get into the open court, and we weren’t consistent enough. Little details, and Doolittle was excellent down the stretch."

Key Details

• Result: Perth Wildcats 88 def. New Zealand Breakers 75
• When: 15th November 2025
• Where: RAC Arena, Perth
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Kristian Doolittle (Perth Wildcats) starred with 24 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 33 minutes.
• Parker Jackson-Cartwright (New Zealand Breakers) scored 22 points, had four rebounds, nine assists, and three steals in 33 minutes.

What Happened

The Wildcats established control early, outscoring the Breakers 22-14 in the opening quarter. Perth maintained their advantage through the second period despite New Zealand finding more offensive rhythm to win the quarter 24-21, leaving the home side with a 43-38 halftime lead.

Perth reasserted their dominance after the break, matching the Breakers' 22 points in the third quarter before pulling away decisively in the final frame. The Wildcats outscored New Zealand 24-15 in the fourth quarter to secure the 13-point victory, spending over 34 minutes in the lead throughout the contest.

Kristian Doolittle delivered an exceptional performance for Perth, shooting 50% from the field and collecting six offensive boards among his 14 rebounds. The forward's versatility was on display as he connected on three-from-six from beyond the arc while also being perfect from the free-throw line.

David Okwera provided outstanding impact off the bench, contributing 14 points on stellar 6-from-7 shooting in just 15 minutes. Meanwhile, Elijah Pepper added 13 points and seven rebounds, while David Duke Jnr chipped in with 12 points despite shooting struggles.

For the Breakers, Parker Jackson-Cartwright fought valiantly with 22 points and nine assists, while Rob Baker II added 18 points including four triples. However, New Zealand's scoring options dried up beyond this duo, with no other player reaching double figures except Robert Loe, who contributed 10 points in limited minutes.

The rebounding battle proved decisive, with Perth dominating the glass 59-42, including 22 offensive rebounds that created numerous second-chance opportunities. This advantage helped the Wildcats overcome their 16 turnovers compared to New Zealand's nine.

Perth's commitment to attacking the basket was evident in their free-throw disparity, attempting 26 free throws (making 24) compared to just six for the visitors. The Wildcats' interior presence also manifested defensively with five blocks, with Jo Lual-Acuil Jr registering two rejections.