AIA Falls to Perth in Game One

PERTH, Australia-The Perth Wildcats have claimed four NBL Championships, and they look ready to contend for another. Perth was efficient on the offensive end and stingy on the defensive side of the ball as they walked away with a 134-96 win over AIA at the Lakeside Recreation Center.

The first quarter was near even the entire way as neither team could open up much of a lead. Big man Ray Schafer from Oregon continued his dominance from the previous game by scoring eight first quarter points.

Perth held a one point lead after one period, but a Josh Carter (Texas A&M) three pointer gave AIA a 35-33 lead in the first minute of the second quarter. The Wildcats responded with a 10-0 before Notre Dame's Luke Zeller hit a three to stop the bleeding.

AIA brought it to within five, but then the game started to slip away. Seven second period AIA turnovers combined with 60% first half shooting by the Wildcats gave Perth a 68-54 halftime lead.
The Wildcats came out ready to turn up the defensive pressure in the second half and put the game away. AIA managed just 35% from the flood and 18 points in the quarter. Perth, on the other hand, shot 59% from the field and hit 5 of 7 three point attempts during the third period. The fourth quarter was much the same as the Wildcats climbed to their final margin.

AIA will face the Perth Wildcats again on Friday night at the Ray Owens Arena in Western Australia.

AIA Statistical Summary
Luke Zeller, Notre Dame-17 Points, 4 rebounds
Josh Carter, Texas A&M-17 Points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
Ray Schafer, Oregon-16 Points, 6 rebounds
Brian Stamer, Colorado Christian-11 Points
Wes Johnson, Iowa State-11 Points
Whitney Robinson, Central Michigan-10 Points
Jason Holsinger, Evansville-5 points, 4 assists