Jermaine Beal unleashed a record-breaking three-point masterclass to help power the Perth Wildcats to a 113-83 win over Melbourne United at Perth Arena on Thursday night.
Beal was held scoreless in the opening term as Melbourne shot out to a 21-15 advantage.
But the 28-year-old went on a rampage over the next two quarters, nailing nine three-pointers to turn the match on its head.
Many of Beal's long-range bombs were shot from two metres beyond the arc.
The highlight of his scoring feast was his half-time buzzer beater, which was unleashed from three metres beyond the arc.
Beal's 40-point match haul included 10 three-pointers - eclipsing the previous club record of eight set by Ricky Grace, Anthony Stewart, and Mike Ellis.
The result lifted the Wildcats (11-5) into top spot on the ladder; equal on wins with Melbourne United.
The NZ Breakers, who host Sydney on Friday, are third with a 9-5 record.
Melbourne started the season with nine straight wins.
But they have since slumped to five losses from their past seven games, casting serious doubt about their Championship potential.
Star United guard Chris Goulding (13 points) started Thursday's match strongly with two early three-pointers.
But the 27-year-old was squeezed out of the game when it went on the line in the second and third quarters.
Both sides ended the match with injury concerns.
Wildcats centre Matt Knight was rushed off into the rooms with a left shoulder/collarbone injury after falling heavily while attempting a lay-up during the third term.
And United small forward Todd Blanchfield was left seeing stars after cracking his head on the court after missing a regulation slam dunk.
Melbourne stunned the Wildcats early to open up a 15-6 lead.
But Beal turned the game on its head with an 18-point haul during the second quarter.
His half-time buzzer beater got the crowd on its feet, but even better was to come in the third quarter.
During an inspired 15-second play, Beal nailed a ridiculously-long three-pointer, stole the ball back a few seconds later, before nailing another long-range bomb from the same spot.
By that stage it was game over, with the scoreline reading 65-41.
Beal had 33 points on 9-of-13 shooting beyond the arc by three-quarter time, before adding another long-range bomb in the final quarter to put the icing on the cake.
The damage for Melbourne would have been far worse if not for centre Daniel Kickert, who lit up from long range himself to finish with 23 points.
"That was an old-fashioned ass kicking. Plain and simple. There's not a whole lot left to say about it," Melbourne coach Dean Demopoulos said.
"(The Wildcats are) a rough tough group, and we didn't stand up to make a fist. That's what happens."
Beal thanked his teammates for getting him the ball when he was hot.
"It was just one of those games where I hit one, then I hit two, and then all of a sudden I started feeling good. I just started coming down and letting fly," Beal said.
"You get into one of those moments where you're just out there having fun, man."
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