Comeback complete! Wildcats win thriller in Brisbane
18 Nov
1
min read


The Wildcats trailed for most of the evening before going on a 20-6 run to finish 79-76 ahead and head into the FIBA break with a 7-5 record.
Superstar Bryce Cotton continued his mid-season hot streak, finishing with a game-high 25 points to go with seven rebounds, three assists and three steals.
It was his fifth game in a row scoring 20-plus points to show he's well and truly back to his brilliant best.
Perth’s winning streak was in serious jeopardy when the Bullets led by nine midway through the final term before Cotton and fellow import Kristian Doolittle inspired the comeback.
Doolittle, who gets better with every game, fell one rebound shy of a double-double after scoring 21 points.
The pair combined for back-to-back triples to tie the scores at 70-apiece with two minutes left.
Scores were again locked at 74-all when Hyrum Harris hit his free throws before Keanu Pinder went to the line successfully as well to make it 76-74.
Brisbane import Chris Smith, his team’s best all night with 23 points, missed his mid-range jumper to level the scores.
Cotton was then fouled twice in the last six seconds and made three of his four free throws to ice the game.
It was a low-scoring, sloppy opening term with both sides way off with their shooting.
The Wildcats shot at 35 per cent from the field, while the Bullets were even worse with 33 per cent but the hosts still held a 16-14 advantage at quarter-time.
Brisbane scored the first six points of the second quarter before Doolittle steadied the ship with an important and one.
Alex Sarr produced a pair of team-lifting efforts at either end of the floor, swatting his opponent’s shot away before hitting a three at the other.
After trailing by as much as 10 points with 90 second left in the half, the visitors stormed into half-time with eight consecutive points as Cotton enjoyed a purple patch.
Hyrum Harris was in everything in the third quarter, doing the little things defensively to help the Wildcats stay within striking distance, while Cotton continued to knock down buckets.
Just three points separated the two sides with a quarter to play, before the Bullets began to take control as the margin blew out to nine.
But Perth had other ideas, stormed home for one of their most memorable wins of the season.
The Wildcats’ next assignment is against Sydney at RAC Arena on December 1.

16 Jul
'Finding the right fit': Wildcats in no rush to sign third import

15 Jul
Wildcats' NBL Blitz fixtures revealed

15 Jul
Wildcats off-season wrap: Hyrum tunes up for post-season
David Okwera

13 Jul
Sarr's stunning NBA Summer League debut for Wizards

11 Jul
Perth Wildcats sale agreement

10 Jul
Rillie set for second NBA Summer League stint

8 Jul
Doolittle and David's double-doubles, Harris boys fire
David Okwera
Kristian Doolittle

5 Jul
Wildcats' blockbuster NBL25 themed rounds revealed

3 Jul
Crawford joins Utah Jazz coaching staff for NBA Summer League

2 Jul
Wildcats return to Gold Coast for NBL Blitz

2 Jul
Almansa excited to follow ex-teammate Sarr's footsteps

1 Jul
Hyrum Harris back as namesake Michael Harris stars
Kristian Doolittle

1 Jul
Sarr's NBA Summer League schedule revealed

29 Jun
Spanish sensation joins Wildcats as Next Star

27 Jun
Sarr becomes a Wizard in history-making night

26 Jun
Sarr remains relaxed ahead of NBA draft day
Support your team with the latest gear
Grab your latest team releases before they're gone.

Get the latest Team Updates
Breaking news & special offers. Direct to your inbox.


