VMT MATCH REPORT: Phoenix Fall Against Raging-Hot Wildcats

A hamstrung Phoenix outfit pulled off an against-all-odds victory over Sydney on Thursday, but the Wildcats proved too formidable with a hot start proving the difference.

A 29-17 first-term kickstarted the visitors, Hyrum Harris and MVP-candidate Bryce Cotton the main contributors.

The hosts found their feet in the second, Mitch Creek (29 points, six rebounds) again the star but the Phoenix finding themselves on the wrong end of a 19-point buffer.

Potential NBA no.1 pick Alexandre Sarr showed why there is plenty of wraps on him, 18 points and a perfect 6-6 from the field to 3QT to impreee even the heavily Phoenix-favoured crowd.

Every time Perth tried to pull away, South East Melbourne found a way to stay within touch, Ben Ayre (23 points) and Owen Foxwell (10 points) impressive in the point guard position.

Try and they might, a full-strength and hungry Perth held on down the stretch to run out 12-point victors.

For the depleted Phoenix, missing Alan Williams, Gary Browne and Matt Kenyon, with NBA star Abdel Nader playing no part in back-to-back games, they lost no fans.

A sold-out State Basketball Centre standing firm until the last buzzer in appreciation of a stunning 48-hours in the Heartland for Mike Kelly’s side.

Phoenix return to John Cain Arena next Saturday to take on cross-town rivals Melbourne United in Throwdown XXIV.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZNo9O4tZOak?si=wX0c3muWlRcwrBoS" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Full-Time Stats

Creek: 29p/6r/1a/1blk
Ayre: 23p/5r/8a
Foxwell: 10p/5r/3a/1stl
Stattmann: 9p/2r/1a
Te Rangi: 6p/6r/2a/3stls
Gak: 6p/8r
Rosendale: 3p
Vague: 3p/2r
Rapp: 2p/2r
Rissetto: 1blk

Get your tickets NOW for when the Phoenix return to the Fire Pit at JCA on Feb 10 against the JackJumpers.