The Brisbane Bullets have leapfrogged Perth into the NBL top four after a pulsating 108-101 win over the Wildcats at the Brisbane Convention Centre.

Guard Simon Black was superb for the Bullets as he stepped up to fill the void created by the loss of veteran point guard Derek Rucker, who injured his calf 90 seconds into the contest.

Black, the league's top marksman from long range the last two seasons, broke out of a shooting slump to hit six of 12 from beyond the three-point line on his way to a game-high 31 points.

He was well supported by Mick Hill, with the fourth-year guard coming up big in the fourth quarter.

Hill drained two crucial three-pointers late in the game, including a back breaking long bomb with 1:07 left that put his side up 105-98.

Import Bobby Brannen gave the Bullets an inside presence as he tallied 23 points and 19 rebounds, including ten boards at the offensive end.

The Wildcats' tall timber tried valiantly to keep their side in the contest, with the trio of Ontario Lett, Rosell Ellis and Tony Ronaldson combining for 67 points and 25 rebounds.

Peter Crawford chipped in with 16 points, but the Wildcats sorely missed floor general Ricky Grace, who pulled out before the game with a knee injury.

The match was tight throughout, with Brisbane taking a five-point lead into the first break.

An 11-point outburst from Black in the second term extended the lead to 59-50 at the half.

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