Basketball On The Internet.

THE Adelaide 36ers opened their NBL preseason matches with a 99-91 road win tonight over Perth Wildcats, Anthony Drmic and Angus Brandt (pictured) sharing game-high scoring honours with 22 apiece.

Neither of the Wildcats imports played, former 36ers forward Lucas Walker leading the rebounding with eight, Greg Hire’s 17 points including 4-of-5 threes.

Brandt showed the benefit of his recent FIBA Asia Cup Gold Medal-winning experience with the Boomers, increasingly deadly with his baby jumphook.

Fellow Boomers swingman Mitch Creek, who coach Joey Wright did not expect would suit before Sunday’s rematch at Margaret River due to a bout of the flu, had 10 points at 75 per cent, with a team equal-high in rebounding (6), plus four assists.

Coming off an All Star Five Premier League season, Drmic’s 22 points came on 9-of-12 shooting, Daniel Johnson hitting 20 at 50 per cent.

Boomers centre Matt Hodgson struggled with foul issues and mustered just 13:36 of court-time before fouling out.

Playing limited minutes, Nathan Sobey still delivered 16 points at 75 per cent.

In his first outing as a Wildcat, former Townsville Croc Clint Steindl had nine points on 3-of-7 threes and a game-high three steals.

The teams meet again on Sunday at 1pm at Margaret River Recreation Centre.

ADELAIDE 36ERS 99 (Drmic 22, Johnson 20, Sobey 16, Creek 10; Hodgson, Roberts, Creek 6 rebs; Doyle 6 assts) d PERTH WILDCATS 91 (Brandt 22, Hire 17, Knight 16, Walker 15; Walker 8 rebs; Kenny 8 assts) at Eaton.

DIRE FOR HIRE: Greg Hire looks for an option past Ronald Roberts. Pic courtesy Perth Wildcats.