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Melbourne spoil Magnay's Wildcats debut

Tristan LavaletteAAP
Chris Goulding starred in Melbourne United's win over the Wildcats, bagging 26 points.
Camera IconChris Goulding starred in Melbourne United's win over the Wildcats, bagging 26 points. Credit: AAP

Slick Melbourne United have spoiled the Perth Wildcats debut of boom recruit Will Magnay with a 99-91 statement victory to gain a stranglehold of the NBL's top position.

United led for almost the entirety of the blockbuster top-of-the-table clash on Thursday in an impressive road win at the RAC Arena.

Star Chris Goulding (26 points) ignited his team early, while centre Jock Landale (19 points and 7 rebounds) was energetic in an absorbing battle with John Mooney inside the paint.

Mooney (24 points and 14 rebounds) and reigning MVP Bryce Cotton (24 points) lacked support in a let-down for the two-time defending champions amid Magnay's highly-anticipated debut.

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The 22-year-old, who had become available after a stint with the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA, started on the bench against United and was held scoreless in 12 minutes.

'He's a little rusty with quickness and ball handling but that will come," Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson said of the Boomers centre.

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It was sweet revenge for United whose 11-game winning streak ended last week at the hands of the Wildcats in Melbourne.

League leaders United (23-6) have breathing room over the Wildcats (20-8), who started a brutal stretch of six games in 11 days on a sour note.

"We shot the ball well and making 15 three-pointers was huge," United coach Dean Vickerman said. "You need mental toughness to win in Perth."

Silencing the home crowd, Goulding nailed a trio of three-pointers to fuel United's early 15-point lead - the largest advantage by a visiting team in Perth this season.

A rattled Gleeson turned to Magnay, who struggled with United's aggressiveness and picked up two quick fouls.

But the Wildcats chipped away and Cotton nailed a three-pointer at the quarter-time buzzer to reduce the deficit to seven points.

Magnay, a defensive specialist, shook off a slow start with an emphatic rejection on Sam McDaniel much to the delight of a pumped-up crowd.

It ignited a furious run for the Wildcats who drew level before United rallied to lead 51-46 at halftime.

Goulding took over with five quick points in the middle of the third term as United had all the answers to lead 76-68 at the last break.

As they had all game, United scored at will and skipped out to a commanding 14-point lead before halting the Wildcats' late rally.

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