Match Recap: NBL23 Round 5 Game 2 vs Perth Wildcats

Written by Melbourne United Media 

Melbourne United have come away with its biggest win of the season, running away from the Perth Wildcats at John Cain Arena on Monday evening.

United’s bigs got the home side on the board to start the game, as Isaac Humphries and David Okwera each scored down low before the returning Shea Ili brought the crowd to their feet.

Having missed Melbourne’s first seven games, Ili got going early by draining back-to-back threes off the dribble, sending the United faithful into a frenzy.

Ili’s teammates supported him well, with eight different Melbourne players hitting the scoreboard in the opening term.

Perhaps none had a more exciting bucket than Makuach Maluach, who soared to the hoop off a pass from Rayjon Tucker, slamming home a dunk from just inside the free-throw line.

This, as well as a slick Ili feed to Tucker for a layup on the quarter-time buzzer gave Melbourne a two-point advantage.

Looking to keep hold of their momentum to open the second term, Lachlan Barker came off the bench for some instant offence, drilling a triple from the corner on the first possession.

United just seemed to be full of energy for the entire term, hustling hard on both ends and producing highlight play after play.

The first few came on the defensive end, with Okwera sending away Luke Travers and Bryce Cotton at the rim, before Rayjon Tucker exploded on the Wildcats.

The dynamo guard rose up high for a monster dunk plus the foul, bringing the noise level inside John Cain Arena to a deafening level.

Tucker scored nine points in the opening half, while Xavier Rathan-Mayes led United with 11 points and five rebounds to help propel Melbourne to a 50-40 lead heading into the major break.

Things started poorly for United to start the second half, as Perth quickly put together an 8-0 run, however Melbourne answered with strength, as Humphries and Okwera orchestrated a 6-0 run of their own.

The big-man pairing were stellar all game, hustling hard and protecting the rim like a brick wall, combining for four rejections.

Humphries’ wrote himself into the history books with his lone block of the game, becoming the youngest player ever in the 40-minute era to reach 100 career rejections.

This staunch defence, combined with hot shooting from XRM, who made his way up to 20 points with a flurry of slick jump-shooting at the end of the term, pushed United lead out to 11 points heading into the final 10 minutes of action.

Needing to hold on down the stretch, United looked to their bench who came up with big play after big play.

Tucker impressed again, notching 16 points and 8 rebounds, while Brad Newley did a little bit of everything, finishing the game as a team-best +21.

With the game still in the balance, XRM closed expertly, knocking down clutch buckets, pulling down boards and snatching steals to finish with 25 points, 10 rebounds and five steals.

Thanks to this, and a deep Chris Goulding triple in the final minute, United pulled away, finishing as 17-point winners and breaking their slump at home.

Melbourne will next head on the road to face the Cairns Taipans on Friday evening before hosting the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Sunday for Throwdown XVII Delivered by DoorDash.

Sunday’s contest is a can’t-miss affair, as it will also mark United’s Multicultural Game, as the club showcases the diversity within the city they play.

Tickets remain on sale here!