The Sydney Kings have survived a frantic comeback from the Perth Wildcats to end a 17-game losing streak against the reigning champions with a 78-74 win at Qantas Credit Union Arena on Thursday night.
An impressive defensive effort saw Sydney hold the Wildcats to a 28-point first half total with Josh Childress scoring a quick15 to pace the Kings early.
But the Wildcats stormed back after the major break, sticking around in the third before an unconventional lineup featuring reserves Drake U’u, Earnest Ross and Jesse Wagstaff as the long big man brought the visitors back to within a basket in the final minute.
Star Wildcats guard Jermaine Beal had a chance to tie the game from the free throw line with 49 second remaining, but the 76-percent season foul shooter missed both attempts. The ensuing offensive rebound fell to Wagstaff, who saw his put back attempt swatted by Childress flying through with the game-saving defensive play. With Perth’s best chance to complete the upset wasted, the Kings closed out the win at the line.
“It’s definitely a big statement for us and we fought for 40 minutes,” Childress said in the post-game broadcast interview. “I’m proud of our team, we prepared well this week and we got a big win.”
Shawn Redhage played a major role in the third term, scoring most of his nine points to help the struggling Wildcats stick around, but it wasn’t enough to cut the lead down to single digits as Childress continued to come up with big buckets and clever passes.
The Wildcats powered their way back into the contest to start the fourth, using a pair of threes from Beal and five points from Ross to spark an 11-0 run, reducing the deficit down to just three points. Backbreaking three-point makes from Jason Cadee and Ben Madgen, plus more vital scoring from Childress, was enough to erase the memory of two early season defeats to the Cats by a combined 40 point margin.
Childress led the Kings with a game-high 27 points to go along with his 10 rebounds, seven assists and four blocked shots. Josh Duinker added 15 while Cadee and Tom Garlepp chipped in 12 each.
Beal led the Wildcats with 13 points while Ross and U’u added 10 apiece.
Sydney will have the next two days off before facing fellow fringe playoff team Melbourne on Sunday.
“We haven’t played them yet this season. We don’t know how good they are, but if we play like we played tonight I’ll take our chances,” Childress said of Sunday’s matchup with United.
Photo: Matt King/Getty Images.
