Josh Childress had 17 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks and seven assists to lead the Sydney Kings in beating the Perth Wildcats, 78-74 on Thursday at the Qantas Credit Union Arena. With the win, the Sydney Kings ended a 16-game losing streak to the Perth Wildcats.Tom Garlepp had 15, Ben Madgen scored 13, Jason Cadee had 12 and Josh Duinker added 10 to round up the Kings players who scored indouble fig ures.

With Kendrick Perry opening the scoring for the Kings by sinking a three-pointer in the first minute and Childress scoring five, the Kings jumped to a 10-0 lead. The Wildcats tied the game at 10-all fueled by 3-pointers from Mathiang Muo and Earnest Ross.The routine continued with the Kings scoring eight straight before the Wildcats fighting back with eight straight points of their own for an 18-18 tie at 7:45 of the second period.

With Madgen, Cadee and Duinker scoring six apiece, the Kings upped their lead to 43-28 at the half. The Kings maintained a doubl digit lead at 65-51 entering the final quarter. Jermaine Beal hit a couple of 3-pointers while Ross hit a 3-pointer and a two point jumper as the Wildcats closed in at 65-62 with 6:38 remaining. Ellis had a three and Garlepp added another basket to keep the Wildcats at bay. But Drake U'U scored five as the Widcats threatened, trailing by just 72-69 with 2:31 left.

Madgen hit a 3-pointer but Wagstaff had jumper and an U'U hit 3-pointer to cut the Kings lead to 76-74 with 1:14 remaining. But Beal missed two free throws and Wagstaff missed a jumper that kept the Wildcats from tying the game. Childress folowed a block with a jumper while Angus Brandt managed a steal in the dying seconds to secure a Kings victory. Beal led the Wildcats in the loss with 16 points.

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