Doolittle powers 'Cats over JackJumpers

The Perth Wildcats withstood seven three-pointers for the Tasmania JackJumpers at MyState Bank Arena with Kristian Doolittle taking over with 30 points for the bounce back 94-85 Sunday victory.

The JackJumpers were playing for the first time since winning in Cairns last Saturday while the Wildcats were playing their first of five road games and looking to respond to coughing one up late at home on Thursday to the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

It was a tight battle most of the afternoon but the 'Cats went on a 10-2 scoring run to open the fourth quarter which pushed a seven-point lead to a 15-point edge which they converted into the nine-point win.

Doolittle had scored just five, eight and four points in his past three outings before exploding with 30 points and six rebounds on 12/18 shooting from the floor.

He found his range from deep in the first half before a fierce dunk and pair of free throws from successive plays late in the fourth quarter took the heat out of the host's comeback attempt.

Despite losing Windler to a rolled ankle and already missing Jesse Wagstaff, Ben Henshall and Jaron Rillie, the Wildcats got plenty of contributions including 16 points, five assists and four steals from David Duke Jr.

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr also had 12 points, five rebounds and two steals, and Elijah Pepper 10 points, four boards, three assists and two steals.

The visitors led at every break and pushed the margin to 15 points with five minutes to play before Hamilton threatened to carry his side home.

He knocked down 7/10 from downtown on his way to 25 points with five rebounds and four assists with captain Will Magnay limited to 16 minutes with foul trouble for six points, six boards and two blocks.

Josh Bannan delivered another 18 points and nine rebounds, Nick Marshall 10 points, eight boards and three assists, and Tyger Campbell nine points and two assists.

Constant turnovers for the JackJumpers were lethal as the Wildcats improved to 11-9 to stay solid in fifth place.

The JackJumpers' struggles at home continued as they fell to 8-11 and narrowly ahead of a crowded bottom-half of the ladder.

The JackJumpers now have another game before Christmas taking on Melbourne United at John Cain Arena on Tuesday while the Wildcats gear up for a rematch with Bryce Cotton and the Adelaide 36ers on the road next Sunday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 85 (Hamilton 25, Bannan 18, Marshall 10)

PERTH WILDCATS 94 (Doolittle 30, Duke Jr 16, Lual-Acuil Jr 12)

BOX SCORE