Comeback falls short on Melbourne

Details
Perth Wildcats 87 defeated by Melbourne United 93
Box Score
John Cain Arena
12 February 2022

Summary
Against the recent trend, the Perth Wildcats came out of the blocks firing on the back of point guard Mitch Norton and Bryce Cotton, taking a 13-point lead to the first break and increasing that advantage that to 15 in the second quarter. However, Melbourne United responded in a big way and through multiple three-point hits from Chris Goulding and Shea Ili, the lead evaporated fast. United’s lead blew out to as much as 23 points in the third quarter as Perth struggled to clean up the glass and contain Jo Lual-Acuil. A change in strategy in the fourth quarter saw Kevin White enter the game and the Wildcats were able to reduce the lead back to single digits, but the deficit was too much and United would hold on to win by six points in the top-of-the-table clash.

Reaction
Scott Morrison initial reaction
“I think that we let ourselves down a little bit in the second and third quarters by not trusting each other on defence and forcing a little bit offensively. You have to give them (Melbourne) credit, they did a number on us on the glass. It seemed like any time we had a chance to get back into it, or needed a big stop, and got a miss, they ended up getting a second chance. So, that was pretty rough on us but you have to give them credit for not deviating from their game plan when they went down in the first quarter.”

Scott Morrison on rebounding 
“It’s not so much the total rebounds, it’s the percentage of offensive rebounds that we’re giving up… I think there was four or five where if we had boxed out we would have given ourselves a chance to get the rebound. You’re not going to get all of them, but we are a small team and we can’t afford to give them free ones by not blocking out.”

Mitch Norton on not winning on Jesse Wagstaff’s 400th game
“It is disappointing. At the end of the day Wags would have wanted a win whether it was his 400th or 600th game, whatever it is, he just wants to come out and wants us to play the right way and unfortunately we didn’t get the win for him tonight.”

Player focus
Bryce Cotton equalled his highest points total against Melbourne with 31, while Mitch Norton had his best game of the year with a season-high 21 points plus four assists and two steals. Vic Law had 12-point, 10-rebound double-double..

Key stats and facts
The key stat of the game was Melbourne’s 51 rebounds to Perth’s 43. 16 of those were offensive which led to 17 second chance points. The Wildcats were also out-shot, with United hitting 46% compared to their 41%
The Wildcats had 12 turnoevrs to Melbourne’s 15, with 11 steals their second most of 2021/22.
The game was club great Jesse Wagstaff’s 400th and veteran Kevin White’s 50th.

Next game
The Perth Wildcats take on the Sydney Kings on Saturday