Despite missing their two tallest players the Perth Wildcats climbed off the bottom of the NBL ladder with a 17-point win over the Hunter Pirates at Challenge Stadium.

The Wildcats were without centre Paul Rogers and Matt Burston against the tallest team in the league but the home side won 92-75, led by Matt Shanahan with 22 points.

The win improved Perth's win-loss record to 3-6 while Hunter replaces the Wildcats at the foot of the ladder with a 2-6 record.

It was Perth's first win at home this season in four attempts and it takes the pressure off coach Scott Fisher and his team who back up against the high-flying Melbourne Tigers on Wednesday.

It also keeps them in touch with the top eight and their hopes of continuing their proud record of making the playoffs which stretches back to 1987.

Shanahan was in the starting five in place of Rogers and made an immediate impact with ten first-quarter points including two triples.

Mike Helms was causing headaches at the other end of the court for Hunter with nine first-quarter points.

Helms was Hunter's best and finished with a game-high 23 points.

Scores were level at 28-28 at quartertime but it was a lot harder to find the bucket in the second term as both teams tightened up defensively.

The home team won the quarter 16-13.

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