Randall shines despite Wildcats loss

The Adelaide 36ers have concluded their pre-season weekend in Western Australia with a 97-91 loss to the Perth Wildcats in Joondalup.

The Wildcats led by as much as 18 at half-time before the 36ers came back hard.

Perth got off to an ideal start with a 14-6 run to put the 36ers on the back foot early.

Daniel Johnson was in elite form early and had nine first quarter points to his name as the 36ers got back to within one midway through the first.

Craig Randall was also starting to find his feet with his new side with eight points in the first quarter.

Despite their impact, the Wildcats held a 34-25 buffer over the visitors at the first break.

Perth took control in the second quarter with some strong defending and were more accurate offensively.

Antonius Cleveland continued his good form from Friday night and was showing off his dance moves as he weaved through for a few layups.

Cleveland had seven points to half-time while Kyrin Galloway was also busy with five points, yet the Wildcats held a 63-45 lead.

Mitch McCarron got the second half underway in style with a three before Kai Sotto did some damage.

The 36ers began to find their feet from three-point range, with McCarron landing his second and third of the quarter and Randall also hitting back-to-back threes.

Adelaide had cut the deficit to seven and were back in the contest.

Yet, Perth again steadied to extend its lead to 13 at the final change.

Randall had found his feet well and truly with 19 points and seven rebounds, while McCarron had 12 points and four assists.

Adelaide continued to push in the last and another Randall three saw the deficit cut to seven with three minutes on the clock.

Randall was having a field day and Sunday Dech followed as well to make it a two-point game with 1:23 on the clock.

Yet, the Wildcats managed to hold on in a thriller.

Randall finished with 29 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while McCarron was also impressive, finishing with 12 and four.