James Ennis jumps at the Perth Wildcats v Sydney Kings game at Perth Arena. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow
Wildcat James Ennis charges through the Kings' defence. Source: News Limited
James Ennis dunks at the Perth Wildcats v Sydney Kings game at Perth Arena. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow
JAMES Ennis saved the best of his three dunks for last as the Perth Wildcats pulled away late to record an 81-69 win over the Sydney Kings at Perth Arena.
Three huge fast-break scores from Ennis in the game’s final five minutes helped the Wildcats snap a final-term deadlock and make it two wins from two matches this season in front of a delighted Perth Arena crowd.
Ennis finished with a game-high 27 points, including seven in the final term, to help pace a 19-7 run over the final stages of the contest.
GALLERY: Perth Wildcats v Sydney Kings
His final dunk, which came while being fouled by Jesse Sanders, was the clear highlight of the night and formed an emphatic exclamation point on the night.
Fellow import Jermaine Beal (10 points) hit two timely fourth-quarter triples for his only two field goals of the game in a late cameo performance, while Shawn Redhage displayed vintage form with 22 points.
Wildcat Damian Martin charges up with the ball at the Perth Wildcats v Sydney Kings game at Perth Arena. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow
Rookie Tom Jervis (seven points, seven rebounds, six blocks) was also impressive in his second NBL outing.
The Kings were led by AJ Ogilvy (18 points) and the tireless Brad Hill (16 points, 10 rebounds) but came up short in the end.
The win came in Andy Stewart’s first NBL game in charge, with the Cats assistant filling in for Trevor Gleeson, who was absent due to a family matter.
Perth came into the contest having won 10 straight games against Sydney since the Kings re-entered the NBL, but had to work hard for this one.
Ennis picked up where he left off in his NBL debut last week, draining 13 points in the first term through a mixture of driving and outside touch.
Sydney's Charles Carmouche is chased by Wildcat Jermaine Beal. Source: News Limited
However, it was the visitors who made the most promising impression in the opening half.
Kings coach Shane Heal urged his point guard Jesse Sanders to push the ball at every opportunity, and it paid dividends early.
The visitors outscored Perth 26-10 in the paint in the first half as Sanders and James Harvey’s penetration opened up plenty of chances for AJ Ogilvy inside.
Ennis made his presence felt with a trademark jam in the third term, but the Cats struggled to break away from their determined opponents until the game’s final stages.
The Wildcats will have to quickly shift their attention to a date with Melbourne on Sunday, where Gleeson will rejoin the team.
In Friday night’s other game, Townsville dealt reigning champion New Zealand its first loss of the season following a 94-84 result in North Queensland.
Follow Chris Robinson on Twitter: @CJKRobinson
Sydneys' Jesse Sanders gets held up by Wildcat James Ennis at the Perth Wildcats v Sydney Kings game at Perth Arena. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow
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