Melbourne United scores thrilling win over NBL leaders Perth Wildcats in front of 10,000 fans
MELBOURNE United rediscovered the form that took them to nine consecutive wins after downing NBL leaders Perth in front of 10,000 fans at Hisense Arena.
GUARD Chris Goulding blew the roof right off Hisense Arena to help Melbourne United to a thrilling and crucial NBL win over Perth.
With the roof open in front of a sold out crowd of 10,200 in attendance, Melbourne rediscovered the form and confidence that carried it to nine consecutive wins at the start of the season.
United had dropped four of its past five games leading in, but on Sunday night was the type of the win that can turn everything around.
Goulding top-scored with 27 points in the 92-87 win, including six triples from eight attempts, in his best performance for some time.
Import Hakim Warrick was huge off the bench with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while fellow import Stephen Holt (16 points, seven assists) also starred, particularly at important moments.
Perth big man Matt Knight was his side’s best with 19 points and 10 boards, while Casey Prather scored 24 points.
United’s starts have been problematic this season, but the energy was strong early with Daniel Kickert and Goulding starting well.
Yet Perth was able to work its way back into contest and lead by two at quarter-time.
The second quarter, however, belonged to the home side with Melbourne beginning to look like its old self again.
Goulding was feeling it and continued to shoot the lights out to help his side take control of the match.
He had 17 points to halftime while Warrick also enjoyed a big first half with nine points and eight boards to help Melbourne to a nine-point lead at the main break.
Perth was always going to come out in the third quarter and so it did.
Before Melbourne could blink, Perth had cancelled out its lead to level the match.
United regained some rhythm late in the term to lead by five points at three quarter-time.
The final quarter was a tight and tense affair with Jawai proving a handle for Melbourne.
Perth looked to be taking control when a Goulding three-pointer but United up by two points.
Melbourne was able to keep its nose in front down the stretch, with the likes of Goulding and Holt hitting some big foul shots.
Perth star Jermaine Beal had the opportunity to send the match into overtime, but his long-range attempt at the buzzer failed to drop.
Melbourne’s next game is against the bottom-placed Kings in Sydney on Wednesday night.
Next month’s Australian Open means United will now shift to the State Hockey and Netball Centre for its next two home games.
It won’t return to Hisense Arena until the final round of the season in February.
Originally published as Melbourne United scores thrilling win over NBL leaders Perth Wildcats in front of 10,000 fans
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