Despite taking it right up to the home side for the majority of the game, the visitors were blown away in the third term and were powerless to salvage a win.

Matt Burston continued his impressive return from injury to lead the Crazy John’s South Dragons’ charge, posting 20 points, nine rebounds for the night. Also keeping the technical officials busy were Jacob Holmes (19 points, six rebounds), Shane Heal (15 points, seven assists) and Brent Hobba (13 points, eight boards), who shared the majority of the team’s stats.

The Wildcats hit the ground running in the opening term, racing out to take a seven-point lead into the first break before the visitors rallied to narrow the margin to just two points at halftime.

But the Wildcats again hit the gas in the third term, outscoring the Victorians 34-22 and setting up a 14-point lead going into the final change.

Despite working their way into a more even scoring contest in the final quarter, the Crazy John’s South Dragons proved unable to assail the home team’s lead and were eventually outrun 120-103.

Perth recruit Rashad Phillips did the major damage for the home side with 20 points to his name, while Alex Loughton added 19 points, nine rebounds and Paul Rodgers posted 18 points, 10 boards in support.

In his first competitive hit-out for the red and black, Cortez Groves posted 12 points, two rebounds, one assist, while Nick Horvath added four points and two boards before foul trouble saw him ruled out of the action after 12 minutes on court.

The teams will today travel to Bunbury ahead of game two of the pre-season series tomorrow night.

Perth Wildcats 120 (Phillips 20, Loughton 19, Rodgers 18)
Crazy John's South Dragons 103 (Burston 20, Holmes 19, Heal 15)