Cotton needs support: Gleeson

The Perth Wildcats need to rely less on star guard Bryce Cotton.

That’s according to coach Trevor Gleeson, who made the comments following Friday night’s heartbreaking loss to the South East Melbourne Phoenix, 89-90.

Cotton scored 32 points plus a team-high six assists, but Gleeson said he needs support.

“It’s too big of a hole that we keep on throwing the ball to Bryce. I was disappointed with our teamwork and creating scoring opportunities for everybody,” he said.

“Bryce can’t keep carrying everybody on his back every night, we’ve got to have input from everybody on the team.”

The Wildcats led the game by four points with less than a minute on the clock after a clutch three from Cotton.

Gleeson said it was disappointing to see his team finish the way it did.

“We allowed them two really good looks, they hit a three and a layup, so that’s disappointing on that side.”

With four seconds remaining, Perth executed an inbound play and had a good look to win the game, but the would-be game-winning shot from Jesse Wagstaff didn’t fall.

“It’s not about the final play, it’s all the other plays beforehand. We started he third on an 0-9 run against us, there was no urgency, we weren’t playing team basketball or team defence that we’re known for,” said Gleeson.

“We shouldn’t have been in that situation.”

In a positive sign for the Wildcats, second-gamer John Mooney was outstanding, finding his offensive flow in the second half to rack up 19 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks.

Fellow recruit Todd Blanchfield contributed 11 points and eight rebounds.

The Perth Wildcats are back in action on Sunday, taking on the NZ Breakers at RAC Arena.

Perth Wildcats 89 (Cotton 32, Mooney 19, Blanchfield 11)

SEM Phoenix 90 (Creek 24, Sykes 19, Wetzell 14)