Goulding shoots United to Game 1 win

The Perth Wildcats once again had no answers for Chris Goulding at John Cain Arena with the Melbourne United captain hitting 10 three-pointers for 41 points in Thursday's 105-93 Game 1 Playoffs victory.

Last time the two teams met at the venue Goulding exploded for 46 points. He had a frustrating first half with three fouls on Thursday night, but shot it like only he can in the second half to open the Playoffs.

Goulding put up nine three-pointers and 32 points in the second half alone to help United to the 12-point victory having outscored the Wildcats 56-43 after half-time.

Goulding started the game with a three ball and Melbourne were in control much of the first half, but when he got a third foul late in the second term, the tide turned Perth's way.

The 'Cats took their first lead on Bryce Cotton's first free-throw attempt in the final minute and they led 50-49 at the half thanks to 33 points in the second term.

However, it was Goulding who blew the game open in the third quarter. He knocked down another four three balls and put up 15 points to help United to a double-figure edge once more.

The game took another twist with the Wildcats scoring the first seven points of the final period but the difference was Goulding. He made another five three-pointers in the fourth quarter in a dazzling display to give Melbourne the one-nil lead.

Goulding finished with 41 points with 10/17 three-point shooting in just 24 minutes.

Ian Clark added 22 points on 16 in the first half with Jack White providing 13 points and 10 rebounds, Marcus Lee 10 points, seven boards and two blocks, and Matthew Dellavedova six points and nine assists.

United coach Dean Vickerman praised the contribution of Goulding along with fellow sharpshooter Clark.

"CG broke the game open in the third, let's not sugarcoat it in any way," the coach said.

"He did a hell of a job, they screened for him well but him and IC were both elite tonight at scoring the basketball - it was a pretty special performance to watch tonight."

The Wildcats won the rebound count by nine, took five extra field goals and gave themselves a chance, but ultimately had no answers for Goulding.

Cotton was held to 12 shot attempts by Shea Ili, but still had 22 points and six assists while Keanu Pinder top-scored with 24 points and 11 rebounds but shot 10/24.

Kristian Doolittle had 22 points and nine rebounds but Dylan Windler was a non-factor with four points on only five shots while Tai Webster also injured a shoulder.

Wildcats coach John Rillie lamented his team's third quarter and agreed they didn't do enough to stop Goulding.

"No," he replied when asked if they did a good job on Goulding.

"It was undisciplined in the third quarter and it cost our team probably a little momentum in the game.

"If we're functioning at a high level, we're a good team and hard to beat, so I need our team functioning at the best level that they can."

The series opened up with a trademark three ball from Chris Goulding who went for 46 the last time the two teams met on the same floor back on November 9.

United kept that momentum going for an early 11-4 advantage which soon became 15-6 after a pair of free throws to Goulding.

Perth did work back into the contest but Bryce Cotton had just four points on three shots in the first quarter and Melbourne were leading 23-17 by the end of one.

Cotton opened up the second quarter with a three-pointer but Ian Clark answered up the other end and so did Jack White to keep United on top.

Cotton did work into the game the longer the half went and that coincided with his captain Jesse Wagstaff being out on the floor helping him get that little bit of breathing room on Shea Ili.

When the five-time MVP took his first free-throw attempt of the game, Perth hit the front for the first time with 40 seconds left in the half. The Wildcats went into the break leading 50-49 on the back of 33 points in the quarter and 10 free-throw attempts.

Goulding had a frustrating end to the first half having picked up a third foul, but he made up for lost time when he hit the floor in the third quarter.

In the matter of minutes he scored 15 points and made four three-pointers to turn a one-point lead when he returned into another double-figure advantage.

Melbourne were still leading 81-71 by three quarter-time but the Wildcats weren’t done and came out to score the first seven points of the fourth quarter but United were back out six when Goulding knocked down another triple after his team secured an offensive rebound.

Goulding knocked down another pair of three balls but Perth wouldn’t go away until Goulding put them to bed. By the time he hit his 10th three of the game with just over a minute to go the lead was back out to nine and Melbourne closed it out to win by 12.

Game 2 in the series will be at Perth's RAC Arena on Saturday night with the chance for United to close it out to be the first team into the Championship Series or the Wildcats to force Game 3 back in Melbourne on Tuesday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL PLAYOFFS 2025 – GAME 1

MELBOURNE UNITED 105 (Goulding 41, Clark 22, White 13)

PERTH WILDCATS 93 (Pinder 24, Cotton 22, Doolittle 22)

Melbourne United lead best-of-3 series 1-0

BOX SCORE